Hearing Improvement Devices

Being hard of hearing can be a real nuisance and cause severe embarrassment in social situations. Poor hearing can also result in hazards while crossing the road in addition to diminished enjoyment of music and television programs. Luckily, there are a range of hearing improvement devices available, which can eradicate these problems.

Types

• Analogue hearing aids work by transforming sound waves into electrical currents. These are then amplified and routed to the ear canal. Digital aids, in contrast, convert sound into computer language through the use of a tiny chip. These sounds are then translated and changed into audio patterns that can be adapted to suit individual needs.

Behind-Ear Hearing Improvement Devices

• These devices are available as discrete units that clip behind the ear, with a tube that runs directly into the ear to connect with a mould earpiece. Behind-ear devices used to be chunky and very visible, but in 2011 are available in thinner, transparent designs that are much more subtle. Behind-ear devices usually use digital technology and those with only moderately weak hearing can use devices without the inner ear mould.

In-Ear Hearing Improvement Devices

• In-ear devices have no fittings on the outside of the ear. According to the Ear Help website, in-ear devices are less reliable than those that fit behind the ear. However, they are smaller and more discrete, meaning they are less likely to be noticed by other people. These devices may not be suitable for people born with hearing deficiencies at birth due to problems with bone development. This is because the devices are designed to fit a typical structural bone pattern, so they are unlikely to stay in place.

Bone Conductive Hearing Improvement Devices

• Conductive hearing loss occurs when sound waves cannot travel through the inner chambers of the ear. Bone conductive devices address this problem via a headband fitting, which allows sound waves to be rerouted from the ear canal into the skull. The skull then transmits these sound waves directly into the ear through vibration. People with conductive hearing problems can also be fitted with implants inside the skull itself, although this procedure is much riskier than wearing an external device.

Body-Worn Hearing Improvement Devices

• Body-worn devices are much larger than ear pieces and are designed for people who have difficulties operating small devices, such as hearing aids, due to physical impairments. These are most often used by elderly people, who can suffer from degenerative illnesses such as arthritis, which affects the nimbleness of their joints. Due to their size, body hearing aids are more robust and less prone to breaking. However, they are not discrete and can suffer from audio interference when the microphone rubs against wearers' clothes.