Thursday, September 8, 2016

The Various Types Of Hearing Aids

By Brenda Murphy


Deaf aid is another name used for hearing aid. These are devices used by deaf people for improving hearing ability. In many countries, they fall under mechanical devices and are subject to regulation as such. Hearing aids have evolved with time from being simple sound amplifying gadgets to devices of artificial intelligence that are simply computerized electroacoustic systems.

Modern devices which are computerized electroacoustic systems transform environmental sound so that it can be more intelligible and/or comfortable. Sound processing capabilities of modern devices allow them to highlight spatial region, shift frequencies, cancel noise and wind, and highlight voice. They need to be configured so that they match with the extent of hearing loss, lifestyle, and physical features around the wearer.

The process of configuring a deaf aid to match the various aspects is referred to as fitting and the specialist who performs it is called an audiologist. The beneficial the device can be is often determined in large part by the quality of fitting done to it. It is worth knowing that a deaf aid does not truly correct deafness. Rather, it helps to make sound more accessible.

The efficiency of the devices is minimized by two major factors. The first factor is the loss in brain cells responsible for processing sound. This loss occurs when the primary auditory cortex is not stimulated regularly due to lack of sound waves transmitted to it. This problem worsens as the extent of deafness increases. The second factor is the damage of hair cells in the inner ear, resulting in sensorineural hearing loss. This makes it hard to discriminate sounds.

Evaluation of how effective a gadget is in compensating for hearing loss is done using various methods. Among the evaluation methods currently in use is audiometry. This evaluation is undertaken under laboratory conditions to measure the level of hearing in a person. The method tries to mimic the conditions in a real world to the highest degree. However, regardless of the mimicry, patient experience is still very different.

The representation of the outcome of a device can be done using three key dimensions. The dimensions are hearing aid usage, aided speech recognition, and satisfaction. A technique called real ear measurement can be used to gauge the correctness of adjustments made to the device. A silicone probe tube microphone is employed in this method to assess characteristics of amplification the device does near the eardrum.

Various kinds of these gadgets are available on the market today. Various aspects of the various models vary, including circuitry, power, and size. Some common contemporary types include receiver in the canal aid, behind the ear aid, body worn aid, on-the-ear aid, and BTE cross system. Others are earmolds, open-fit gadgets, disosable deaf aid, BTE Bi cross system, stethoscope deaf aids, bone anchored gadgets, extended wear gadgets, and invisible in canal deaf aid.

All modern devices use button cell zinc-air batteries. These batteries come in five main standards. Older version of the devices used mercury batteries while some still use long-life disposable or rechargeable batteries.




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