The Evolution of Hearing Aids: From Ear Trumpets to Digital Devices

Many people all over the world live with hearing loss every day. Hearing loss can range from mild to profound and can be treated with hearing aids. This is all due to the many hearing aid inventions that the world has been enhanced with since the 17th century.

Hearing aids have advanced from ear trumpets to the digital devices we use today. This technology has allowed millions of individuals to get the most out of their hearing and enjoy their lives to the full. Your audiologist will be able to find the perfect solutions for you.

What is a Hearing Aid?

Hearing aids are a type of treatment for those with hearing loss. Hearing aids are worn by many individuals with hearing loss to amplify sounds that they could not hear before. Although they can’t help hearing to return naturally, they can boost hearing, so the patient has the best hearing experience possible. The symptoms of hearing loss can be challenging.

Those who experience may find that they have difficulty hearing what others are saying and need to ask them to repeat what they’ve said. Others may find it hard to follow conversations in crowded rooms or may need to boost the volume on the TV. Hearing aids offer a solution that allows the wearer to continue living life normally without needing to worry about the effects of hearing loss.

The Ear Trumpet

The ear trumpet dates back to 1634 when a French mathematician was the first to mention it in one of his works. It looked like a small tubular, trumpet-like device that was aimed at funneling sounds to the ear. It was made of many different materials, including metal, wood and even snail shells. Widely used until the mid-19th century, ear trumpets were practical solutions for those seeking assistance in hearing. Despite their simplicity and effectiveness, these early hearing aids had their limitations, being able to amplify sound only to a certain extent and often proving unwieldy for wearers due to their bulkiness.

The First Hearing Aid

Although the ear trumpet filled a gap, it was soon recognized that something more sophisticated was needed. Thus came the invention of the first hearing aid in 1898 by a gentleman named Miller Reese Hutchinson. It was called the Akouphone and similarly to today’s devices, it used a microphone, amplifier and batteries.

A carbon transmitter was used to strengthen an electric current signal. The problem with the Akouphone was that it was not portable, due to its size. At this point, the Akouphone gained the attention of worldwide manufacturers who sought to advance the technology and produce on a mass scale.

Vacuum Tube

From 1923, the Vactuphone was available across the U.S. This hearing aid used a telephone transmitter to take speech and convert it to electrical signals. Those signals were then amplified for the wearer. These devices were highly popular, but the battery and amplifier were worn around the neck which started to become inconvenient for many.

Microprocessing Hearing Aids and Microprocessor Computers

Technology advanced quickly in the 1970’s and 80’s. During this time, a hearing aid was invented that allowed audio signals to be separated into frequency bands. This meant that certain sounds could be amplified while others weren’t. It gave wearers a brand-new experience of hearing aid treatment.

In 1982, the first digital processing hearing aid was released. However, the minicomputer and digital array processor that was packed into it made the device bulky and it consumed power too quickly for the average wearer.

Today’s Digital Devices

Hearing aids have come a long way since their inception. Although technology is constantly advancing, the hearing aids available now have evolved since the first one. They are now small and convenient to wear in your ear. Many devices now connect to Bluetooth which enables wearers to connect to their phones and answer calls or listen to music. Battery life is extensive, and you can opt for rechargeable batteries, rather than needing to replace them.

The three most common hearing aid styles are, behind the ear (BTE), in the ear (ITE) and in the canal (ITC). Your audiologist will tailor hearing aids specifically to your needs. Digital devices are also tailored to the wearer. An audiologist can program the device to suit your requirements, so you would not have to make the adjustment at home. They can also be reprogrammed if requirements change.

If you’d like to benefit from all that modern day digital hearing aids can offer, contact Earzlink at (888) 293-5604 today. Our team will answer any question you have. We can’t wait to hear from you.