Open fit devices Hearing aids

Open-fit" or "Over-the-Ear" OTE Hearing aids are small behind-the-ear type devices. This type is characterized by a small plastic case behind the ear, and a very fine clear tube running into the ear canal. Inside the ear canal, a small soft silicone dome or a molded, highlyvented acrylic tip holds the tube in place. This design is intended to reduce the occlusion effect. Conversely, because of the increased possibility of feedback, and because an open fit allows low frequency sounds to leak out of the ear canal, they are limited to moderately severe high frequency losses. Whilst the design approach is attractive to a general hearing aid user where they fall into the category to be considered fitted with one of these types of hearing instruments it has to be taken into account that Open-fit devices can by their design have problems when connected to Assistive Listening Devices (ALD's). This is due to the open-ear effect and that the user would hear Low Frequency sounds normally via no Occlusion whilst the hearing aid filters and provides the high frequencies. When a ALD's such as a Wireless FM system are provided to help a hearing aid user to hear over a distance in some cases only the high frequencies are provided to the user and the Low frequencies are lost over distance. This can easily be verified by taking different open ear Hearing aids and measuring their Output Frequency Response using a hearing aid Analyzer and then comparing the output when connected to ALD device and observing if any considered Gain in Low Frequency has been provided

Open fit devices Hearing aids

Extended wear hearing aids

Extended wear Hearing aids are hearing devices that are non-surgically placed in the ear canal by a hearing professional. The extended wear hearing aid represents the first "invisible" hearing device. The concept was invented by Adnan Shennib. These devices are worn for 1–3 months at a time without removal. They are made of soft material designed to contour to each user and can be used by people with mild to moderately severe hearing loss. They work by directing sound into the ear canal from the outer ear. Their close proximity to the ear drum results in improved sound directionality and localization, reduced feedback, and improved high frequency gain.While traditional BTE or ITC hearing aids require daily insertion and removal, extended wear Hearing aids are worn continuously and then replaced with a new device. Users can change volume and settings without the aid of a hearing professional. The devices are very useful for active individuals because their design protects against moisture and earwax and can be worn while exercising, showering, etc. Because the device’s placement within the ear canal makes them invisible to observers, extended wear hearing aids are popular with those who are self-conscious about the aesthetics of BTE or ITC hearing aid models. As with other hearing devices, compatibility is based on an individual’s hearing loss, ear size and shape, medical conditions, and lifestyle. The disadvantages include regular removal and reinsertion of the device when the battery dies, inability to go underwater, earplugs when showering, and for some discomfort with the fit since it is inserted deeply in the ear canal in the only part of the body where skin rests directly on top of bone.

Extended wear hearing aids

Disposable hearing aids

Disposable Hearing aids are hearing aids that have a non-replaceable battery. These aids are designed to use power sparingly, so that the battery lasts longer than batteries used in traditional hearing aids. Disposable hearing aids are meant to remove the task of battery replacement and other maintenance chores (adjustment or cleanings). To date, two companies have brought disposable hearing aids to market: Songbird Hearing and Lyric. Both are digital, but are used in very different ways by the consumer. Songbird is a BTE Hearing aids that is bought online and worn like any other BTE device. When it runs out, the user replaces it with a new one. Lyric is implanted deep in the ear canal by a professional. When it runs out, it must be removed and replaced with a new one by a professional.

Disposable hearing aids

Digital hearing aids Technology

Digital audio/Programmable control: Both the audio circuit and the additional control circuits are fully digital. The hearing professional programs the hearing aid with an external computer temporarily connected to the device and can adjust all processing characteristics on an individual basis. Fully digital circuitry allows implementation of many additional features not possible with analog circuitry, can be used in all styles of Hearing aids and is the most flexible. Fully digital hearing aids can be programmed with multiple programs that can be invoked by the wearer, or that operate automatically and adaptively. These programs reduce acoustic feedback (whistling), reduce background noise, detect and automatically accommodate different listening environments (loud vs soft, speech vs music, quiet vs noisy, etc.), control additional components such as multiple microphones to improve spatial hearing, transpose frequencies (shift high frequencies that a wearer may not hear to lower frequency regions where hearing may be better), and implement many other features.

Fully digital circuitry also allows control over wireless transmission capability for both the audio and the control circuitry. Control signals in a hearing aid on one ear can be sent wirelessly to the control circuitry in the hearing aid on the opposite ear to ensure that the audio in both ears is either matched directly or that the audio contains intentional differences that mimic the differences in normal binaural hearing to preserve spatial hearing ability.

Digital hearing aids Technology

Hearing aids Technology

             Hearing aid

hearing aids technology includes the working of a digital hearing aid. I let us know how the modern hearing aids are being used these days by the deaf people or the people with the hearing impairment. Hearing aids are mostly comes with a small device that is wireless as well it is much safe as compared to the old hearing aids.

Wireless hearing aids

Recent hearing aids include wireless hearing aids. One hearing aid can transmit to the other side so that pressing one aid's program button simultaneously changes the other aid and both aids change background settings simultaneously. FM listening systems are now emerging with wireless receivers integrated with the use of Hearing aids. A separate wireless microphone can be given to a partner to wear in a restaurant, in the car, during leisure time, in the shopping mall, at lectures, or during religious services. The voice is transmitted wirelessly to the Hearing aids eliminating the effects of distance and background noise. FM systems have shown to give the best speech understanding in noise of all available technologies. FM systems can also be hooked up to a TV or a stereo.

In developed countries FM systems are considered a cornerstone in the treatment of hearing loss in children. More and more adults discover the benefits of wireless FM systems as well, especially since transmitters with different microphone settings and Bluetooth for wireless cell phone communication have become available.

Many theaters and lecture halls are now equipped with assistive listening systems that transmit the sound directly from the stage; audience members can borrow suitable receivers and hear the program without background noise. In some theatres and churches FM transmitters are available that work with the personal FM receivers of hearing instruments.

Hearing aids Technology