subject: Reasons Why 100% Digital Technology With Hearpod Is Better For Hearing Aids [print this page] Hearing Aids have been around since the 15th Century and were invented to help people suffering from hearing loss. The first hearing aids were expensive and available for only the financially well-to-do or upper societies. These ancient instruments were made from wood to resemble the human ear in shape and size and thereby amplified sound naturally.
Reports state that almost 1 in every 6 people suffers some degree of hearing loss. It might be caused by different factors such as trauma, work-related injury, age, etc. Symptoms are always the same, regardless of the cause, in that the ability to distinguish sound and to hear accurately decreases or is negligible. Some people need a hearing aid only to magnify sound while others might require more sophisticated appliances.
There are three basic parts to every hearing aid: the microphone, the receiver and the amplifier. In past, all hearing aids would convert sound waves into an electrical signal as a means to amplify sound. Those previous styles caused a significant amount of distress and frustration to wearers because of high-pitched squeaking, feedback and muffled sounds.
The introduction of digital systems has offered great improvements and advantages to the industry. Incoming sounds are still received through a microphone. A receiver then picks up those sounds and, by way of a computer chip within the device, converts the sound waves into digital (mathematical) codes, not electric ones. The code is converted back to sound again, then amplified in a naturally audible way.
Digital systems can be pricier than their predecessors but they are more convenient, more comfortable and provide much better sound quality. Depending upon the sound source, several channels can be selected depending upon the amount of ambient noise reduction or amplification required. Some manufacturers produce disposable varieties.
Some hearing aids will fit behind the ear. Others will fit directly into the outer ear canal. The outer plastic housing can be clear or flesh-toned.
A hearing disabled person will want to purchase hearing aids which are comfortable to wear and easily maintained. The most desirable qualities are: restoration of natural hearing, automatic settings adjustment, and elimination of background noise, muffled sounds and high-pitched feedback. To say hearing loss is an inconvenience is to minimize the impact of this impairment: however, today's advanced technology helps suffers cope much more effectively than those who lived in the 15th Century.
