As a result of dedicated research over the years as well as an incredible boost in technology, these devices now come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and even colors. Plus, they only weigh a few ounces, providing an unmatched comfort level. The hallmark of inventions has consistently been research and motivation. Spurred on by this, hearing aid creators have come a long way. These devices now feature innovative components like connections to Bluetooth and filtering capabilities. Did you know that 35 million people in this country live with hearing loss? However, only a fraction actually wear a hearing aid. The average hearing aid costs about $1500, with high end models costing upwards of $3,000. They have come a long way from the primitive ear trumpets of 200 years ago.
Signal Processing and Hybrids
Behind-the-ear models, invented in 1964 by Zenith Radio, featured digital signal-processing chips. Then along came hybrid analog-digital models and then fully digital models by 1996. By the year 2000, programmable hearing aids were on the scene that gave users increased flexibility, customization and comfort. Today, most — about 90 percent — of all hearing aids are digital in nature.
Oldest Hearing Devices
The ear trumpet was invented back in the 17th century, which were beneficial only to those who suffered from a partial hearing impairment. These were large, cumbersome devices that only served to amplify sound within the immediate environment. Just think of an old phonograph with the conical sphere and you’ll get a good mental picture of what these resembled. As the 18th century approached, they went through even more advancements. As such, several versions were created for the very wealthy, such as the Reynolds Trumpet. This was personally made for the famous painter Joshua Reynolds, featuring a horn-shaped instrument that basically funneled sound into the inner ear.
Earpieces and Receivers
It wasn’t till the late 1930’s that hearing aids that could be worn on the ear with relative comfort got popular. These devices were made by a Chicago electronics manufacturer, featuring a thin wire connected to an earpiece and receiver. However, there was also a battery pack which attached to the user’s leg which posed obvious imitations. More compact models emerged during World War II for more reliable service to the user thanks to the invention of printed circuit boards.
Vacuum Tubes make a Contribution
Vacuum tubes, put out by Western Electric Co., came next in New York City in 1920. Manufactures built upon the technology that came from Lee De Forest’s finding of the three-component tube years earlier. They offered not only better amplification but also better frequency. However, they were quite large and not very practical. They got smaller as the years wore on, though, until they got to about the size of a small box. The inconvenience of it all still wasn’t very helpful, plus the comfort level was pretty low.
Bell Brings his Knowledge to the Table
The 17th and 18th centuries brought with them devices that offered only limited amplification qualities. When the 19th century came about, electrical technologies emerged spurred on by the invention of the telephone by Alexander Graham Bell in 1876. This invention was a catalyst for advancement leading to electrical transmission of speech. Thomas Edison was inspired by this invention and came up with the carbon transmitter for the telephone in 1878. This was designed to boost the basics of the telephone as well as the electrical signal to improve hearing.
One can appreciate the advancement of hearing aids by taking a look back in time at the most primitive models.