HEARING AIDS

A hearing aid is an electroacoustic device

which typically fits in or behind the wearer's
ear, and is designed to amplify and modulate
sound for the wearer. Earlier devices, known as
an "ear trumpet" or "ear horn",[1][2] were
passive funnel-like amplification cones
designed to gather sound energy and direct it
into the ear canal. Similar devices include the
bone anchored hearing aid, and
cochlear implant.
Types of hearing aids
There are many types of hearing aids (also
known as hearing instruments), which vary in
size, power and circuitry. Among the different
sizes and models are:
Body worn aids
This was the first type of hearing aid invented
by Harvey Fletcher while working at
Bell Laboratories.[3] Thanks to developments in
technology they are now rarely used.[citation needed]
These aids consist of a case, an earmold, and a
cord. The case contains the amplifier
components. The case is about the size of a
pack of playing cards and is worn in the pocket
or on a belt. The ear mold is connected to the
case via a cord. Because of use of
vacuum tubes[citation needed], body worn aids can
provide loud amplification. This made them
the first appropriate hearing aid for profound
hearing losses. Today, body aids have largely
been replaced by Behind
Behind the ear aids (BTE)
BTE aids consist of a case, a tube and an
earmold. The case is small and made of plastic.
Generally, the case sits behind the pinna (ear)
with the tube coming down the front into the
earmold. The case contains the amplification
system
The sound is routed from the hearing aid case
to the earmold via the tube. The sound can be
routed acoustically or electrically. If the sound
is routed electrically, the speaker (receiver) is
located in the earmold, rather than in the case.
The earmold is created from an impression
taken of the individual's outer ear. This usually
ensures a comfortable fit and reduces the
possibility of feedback. Earmolds are made
from a variety of hard (firm) and soft (pliable)
materials. The color of the case and earmold of
a BTE aid can be modified and optional
decorations can be added.
BTEs can be used for mild to profound hearing
loss. Due to the electrical components being
located outside the ear, the chance of moisture
and earwax damaging the components is
reduced. This increases the durability of a BTE
aid and with proper care it can last for a
number of years. BTEs can be connected to
assistive listening devices, such as FM systems.
An important aspect of the BTE aid is that the
case and earmold are separate which makes it
easier to replace the earmold. BTE aids are
commonly worn by children who need a
durable type of hearing aid
In the ear aids (ITE)
These devices fit in the outer ear bowl (called
the concha); they are sometimes visible when
standing face to face with someone. ITE
hearing aids are custom made to fit each
individual's ear. They can be used in mild to
some severe hearing losses. Feedback, a
squealing/whistling caused by sound
(particularly high frequency sound) leaking and
being amplified again, may be a problem for
severe hearing losses.[citati
Receiver In the Canal/Ear (RIC/RITE)
At a first glance, these devices are similar to
the BTE aid. There is however one crucial
difference: The speaker ('receiver') of the
hearing aid is placed inside the ear canal of the
user and thin electrical wires replace the
acoustic tube of the BTE aid. There are some
advantages with this approach: Firstly, the
sound of the hearing aid is arguably smoother
than that of a traditional BTE hearing aid. With
a traditional BTE hearing aid, the amplified
signal is emitted by the speaker (receiver)
which is located within the body of the hearing
aid (behind the ear).
In the canal (ITC), mini canal (MIC) and
completely in the canal aids (CIC)

These aids are intended for mild to

moderately-severe losses. CICs are usually not
recommended for people with good low
frequency hearing, as the occlusion effect is
much more perceivable.[7]
In-the-ear hearing aids are typically much
more expensive than their behind-the-ear
counterparts with equal functionality. The
reason is the fact that all in-the-ear aids are
custom made to fit comfortably into the
patient's ear.
 Extended wear hearing aids

Extended wear hearing aids are hearing

devices that are non-surgically placed in the
ear canal by a hearing professional. The
extended wear hearing aid represents the first
"invisible" hearing device.
These devices are worn for 1–3 months at a
time without removal. They are made of soft
material designed to contour to each user and
can be used by people with mild to moderately
severe hearing loss. They work by directing
sound into the ear canal from the outer ear
(the pinna). Their close proximity to the ear
drum results in improved sound directionality
and localization, reduced feedback, and
improved high frequency gain.
The devices are very useful for active
individuals because their design protects
against moisture and earwax and can be worn
while exercising, showering, etc. Because the
device’s placement within the ear canal makes
them invisible to observers, extended wear
hearing aids are popular with those who are
self-conscious about the aesthetics of BTE or
ITC hearing aid models.
 Eyeglass aids

During the late 1950s through 1970s, before

in-the-ear aids became common (and in an era
when thick-rimmed eyeglasses were popular),
people who wore both glasses and hearing
aids frequently chose a type of hearing aid that
was built into the temple pieces of the
spectacles.
the combination of glasses and hearing aids
was inflexible: the range of frame styles was
limited, and the user had to wear both hearing
aids and glasses at once or wear neither. Today,
people who use both glasses and hearing aids
can use in-the-ear types, or rest a BTE neatly
alongside the arm of the glasses. There still are
some specialized situations where hearing aids
built into the frame of eyeglasses can be
useful, such as when a person has hearing loss
mainly in one ear: sound from a microphone
on the "bad" side can be sent through the
frame to the side with better hearing.