Hearing aids

A brief outlook on hearing aids.

1. Hearing Aids A Closer Look

2. What is a hearing aid? Small electronic device Quiet and noisy situations 1 out of 5 who needs, actually uses Three Basic Parts Microphone Amplifier Speaker

3. How does “hearing” work? Sound travels through outeer ear Eardrum vibrates Three smalls bones carry sound to cochlea Vibration stimulates hair cells Creates electrical current to auditory nerve Transmits to brain

4. Hearing aid technology Telecoil Connect directly to hearing aid Filters background noise Used with telephones, FM systems, and induction loop systems Directional Microphones Amplify sounds more from front Better signal to noise radio Improves speech understanding in noise

5. What causes hearing loss? Two types of hearing loss: Conductive hearing loss Sound obstructed through the ear Treatable with surgery Sensorineural hearing loss Damage to the cochlea Most common type Type helped by hearing aid

6. How do hearing aids work? 2 types of hearing aids Analog Converts sound waves into electrical signals Custom built for each user Less expensive Digital Converts sound waves into numerical codes Similar to binary code More flexibility in adjustment

7. Analog hearing aid

8. Digital hearing aid

9. What type of hearing aids are there? BTE (Behind-the-Ear) Fits behind pinna (ear) Consists of case, earmold , & tube Sound routed from case to earmold Mini BTE

10. What type of hearing aids are there ?(continued) ITE (In-the-Ear) Mild to severe hearing loss Completely inside outer ear Not recommended for children Capable of added features telecoil

11. What type of hearing aids are there?(continued) ITC(In-the-Canal) Mild to moderate hearing loss Customized to recipient Almost completely hidden Difficult to adjust and change battery

12. What type of hearing aids are there?(continued) CIC(Completely-in-Canal) Mild to moderate hearing loss Smaller than ITC Difficult to adjust and add features More expensive

13. Cochlear Implant Designed for those who are profoundly deaf Can be used alone or with traditional hearing aid Two main systems: External Sound processer, microphone, and transmitter Internal Receiver and electrode array

14. Future for hearing aids BAHA(Bone Anchored Hearing Aid) Bypass normal hearing system Helps severe sensorineural , condutive , or mixed Attach to bones in middle ear Bypasses auditory canal and middle ear

15. Conclusion Hearing aids are smaller and more powerful Aiming for higher sound quality in the future Accommodate virtually every type of listening environment Continually adjust themselves to improve sound quality and reduce feedback Closer to achieving gift of hearing

16. References National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, . (2010, March 04 ). Hearing aids . Retrieved from http :// www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing/h earingaid.asp Anne Eisenberg, . (2006, September 24). The Hearing aid as fashion statement. The New York Times LastPaul Dybala , . (2006). Hearing aid or headset?. Audiology Online , Retrieved from http :// www.audiologyonline.com/articles/articl e_detail.asp?article_id =1542