Hearing Aid Technology Helping People Listen Normally
New Digital Hearing Aids Use Electronic Signals, Not Just Volume
Megan McClain, staff writer for Redlands Daily Facts, reports that hearing aids are becoming quite sophisticated; where they used to just amplify sound, now the hearing aids are selective because they are digital.
In her article, "Hearing technology allows for more options," McClain reports that everyone can have hearing loss although men are more likely because of exposure to noise in the workplace. In fact, 17 percent of adult Americans report a hearing loss.
A couple of key facts as noted by The National Institute on Deafness and other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), include that hearing loss occurs from ear infections, aging, heredity and noise damage. Also, most hearing loss is high-frequency loss. In fact, 15 percent or 26 million people between the ages of 20 and 69 have high-frequency loss from mild to severe.
McClain's article uses imput from audiologist Michael Petroka who says that the new hearing aids are almost like "artificial intelligence." They would obviously work well on me because that is what I have often been accused of having.
Petroka goes on to say that where older hearing aids used to just amplify and make things louder (increasing the confusion), the new hearing aids transfer sound into electronic signals and then relay them back again to the ear.
Where it used to be a matter of just sticking the hearing aid in the ear and turning it on, now it may take several weeks of modest adjustments but people then hear like they haven't heard in years.
I have a high-frequency hearing loss which I know since I have had a test. Sometimes I can't hear the dog whine and I need the television up louder than the rest of my family and my neighbor's family as well. I am sure that my ears were injured from being in a rock-and-roll band for several years and playing music too loud and being in Vietnam around a lot of explosive noises and helicopters and jets.
I know a little something about old-fashioned hearing aids because I sold them one summer. The fact that a layman could do that shows how unsophisticated the system was.
I would give a hearing test in the home. If a person decided to buy a hearing aid, then I mixed up a clay-like substance and poured it in their ear making a mold. When the hearing aid came it was just a matter of turning it up.
It worked well for people for a few days until their hearing loss adjusted to the new volume.
Now, if you'll excuse me I have to make a call to enhance my "artificial intelligence."
Reference:
http://www.redlandsdailyfacts.com/news/ci_11675717
Published by Gary Davis
Retired Insurance CEO. Trained in medicine and medicines. Trained in mental health particularly manic depression as well as most illnesses (from medical underwriting. Business owner, business, marketing,... View profile
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- Hearing Aid Technology Helping People Listen Normally
5 Comments
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Hi, for anyone (like me) finding you by searching for hearing aids, I also found a good checklist of tips for <a href="http://www.hearing-aid.com/hearing-aids-types/buying-new-hearing-aids/">'before you buy a hearing aid'</a>: It could be helpful for your readers still in research mode.
To my readers: I encourage you to comment. I also encourage you to disagree but ask you to keep the comments inoffensive to other readers. I have no problems with vehement disagreement. I fully believe that sometimes just as much information or even more can be brought to the fore by reader commentary, Thanks, Gary
Thank you for your expertise. I am confused, however, because in the report there is also a well-known audiologist claiming the reverse of your position. I will be getting one and will be able to report first hand.
Thank you,
Gary
While it is great that you have increased the awareness of new hearing aid technology with your article, it is a shame that you use the phrase "listen normally" in the title.
I am an audiologist with considerable experience dispensing modern hearing aids. I have never had a patient return to my office reporting that they were "listening normally" even with the most expensive digital hearing aids on the market.
Hearing aids DO NOT allow a person to hear normally. The may assist with hearing by improving speech intelligibility, but they are not "new ears" by any means.
I am afraid that the title of your article suggests that people will hear normally with hearing aids, which is a common misconception that leads to unrealistic expectations for both hearing aid users and their communication partners.