Have you used your ear trumpet lately? No? You don’t have one? Because that technology is hundreds of years old. Okay, I suppose that seems logical. Ear trumpets are a bit… antiquated.
The basic shape of the modern hearing aid was developed in the 1950s. And somehow, that’s the hearing aid which has become established in our collective consciousness. The trouble is that a hearing aid built in the 1950s is just about as out-dated as a hearing trumpet. We need to really advance our thinking if we want to recognize how much better modern hearing aids are.
The History of Hearing Aids
It’s useful to have some perspective concerning where hearing aids started so that you can better comprehend how sophisticated they have become. As far back as the 1500s, it’s possible to come across some form of hearing aid (whether any of them ever actually helped you improve your hearing is probably unlikely).
The “ear trumpet” was probably the first marginally effective hearing assistance approach. This construct was shaped like, well, a long horn. The wide end pointed out and the narrow end was directed into your ear. Today, you wouldn’t consider this device high tech, but back then they actually give some assistance.
The real innovation came when electricity was invited to the party. The hearing aid that we are familiar with was really developed in the 1950s. In order to perform their function, they relied on large old fashioned style batteries and transistors in a fairly rudimentary design. But these devices represent the beginning of a hearing aid that could be easily worn and hidden. The hearing aids of the 1950s might have looked similar to modern hearing aids but the technology and functionality is worlds apart.
Hearing Aid’s Modern Capabilities
Modern hearing aids are a technological masterpieces, to put it plainly. And they keep getting better. Since the late twentieth century, modern hearing aids have been utilizing digital technologies in several powerful ways. The first, and the most crucial way, is straight forward: power. Modern hearing aids can store considerably more power into a much smaller area than their earlier predecessors.
And with that increased power comes a large number of sophisticated developments:
- Speech recognition: For countless hearing aid owners, the ultimate objective of these devices is to enable communication. Separating and amplifying voices, then, is a principal function of the software of many hearing aids–from a busy restaurant to an echo-y meeting hall, this feature comes in handy in many scenarios.
- Construction: Modern hearing aids are typically constructed out of high tech materials, so they feel more comfortable. These new materials enable hearing aids to be lighter and more heavy-duty at the same time. It’s easy to see how hearing aids have improved on the outside as well as the inside with the addition of long lasting and rechargeable batteries.
- Health monitoring: Sophisticated Health tracking software is also incorporated into modern hearing aid options. if you have a fall, for example, some hearing aids can detect that. There are other functions that can notify you about your fitness goals such as how many steps that you’ve taken.
- Bluetooth connectivity: Your hearing aids are now able to communicate with other devices using wireless Bluetooth technology. You will utilize this feature every day. For example, hearing aids used to have a difficult time with phone calls because users would experience substantial (and sometimes unpleasant) feedback. When you connect to your cellphone via Bluetooth, the transition is simple and communicating is effortless. You will also use Bluetooth functions to engage in a wide variety of other electronic activities. This means quick, feedback free connection to your TV, music, etc.
- Selective amplification: Hearing loss does not manifest through all wavelengths and frequencies equally. Maybe you have a harder time hearing high-frequency noises (or vice versa). Contemporary hearing aids can be programmed to boost only those sounds that you are unable to hear so well, producing a much more effective hearing aid.
The old style hearing aids no longer represent what hearing aids are, in the same way as rotary phones no longer capture what long distance communication looks like. Hearing aids aren’t what they used to be. And we should be excited because they’re substantially better than they were.
