Small enough to fit inside or behind the ear, these electronic devices make some sounds louder, allowing users to hear better in most environments. Aids do not actually improve auditory performance, but merely amplify sound. Most consist of a microphone, an amplifier, and a receiver that delivers augmented sounds into the ear. Batteries are typically needed to power the device’s electronics.
As we mentioned, about one in five people have some degree of auditory impairment, but not all of them can benefit from an aid. Those with conductive hearing loss, for example, have structural issues that can only be corrected with surgery or medical treatment. Hearing aids are most effective for folks who have suffered some damage to the inner ear or auditory nerve. Known as sensorineural loss, it is commonly caused by aging, noise damage, or disease. The only bright spot is that the problem does not usually rob … Read the rest