HEARING AIDS
A Hearing aid is an electroacoustic device which typically fits in or behind the wearer's ear and designed to amplify and modulate sound for the wearer. Hearing aids are thus basically battery powered electronic devices which make listening easy for the individuals with hearing loss. It consists of a microphone, amplifier & a receiver. The microphone picks up the sound & converts it into an electrical signal, which is then amplified by the amplifier. This signal is then converted back into acoustic signal by the receiver & delivered to the patient’s ear.
Hearing aids are mainly used to correct the impaired hearing of the patient or to make one’s speech more intelligible. These devices are just to make sounds more accessible and are not capable of truly correcting the hearing loss. They are thus used to improve the speech perception.
Hearing aids can be either analogue, digital or wireless.
Hearing Aids mainly use standard button cell zinc air batteries.
Hearing aids are coupled to the ear with an ear mould which is created from an impression taken of individual’s ear. This usually ensures a comfortable fit and reduced possibility of feedback.
TYPES
Behind the ear aids (BTE)
Body worn aids
Receiver in the canal aids (RIC)
In the ear aids (ITE)
In the canal aids (ITC)
Completely in the canal aids (CIC)
Bone conduction Hearing Aids.
INDICATIONS
Hearing Aids can be used by patients of any age group ranging from infants to geriatric. It can be used for:
Hearing loss since birth
Hearing loss with old age - Presbycusis
Hearing loss with trauma
However, not every patient with hearing loss can use hearing aids & needs a doctor’s correct examination for determination.
