Significant advancements in hearing aids have occurred over the last 50 years. Generally speaking, the size of hearing aid devices along with batteries has changed most dramatically. Becoming more discreet, precise, functional, and more readily available.
Transistor Hearing Aids
In the 1970s, hearing aids began to improve from vacuum tubes to the introduction of the transistor. One of the essential benefits transistors brought to hearing aids was that they allowed them to have a longer-lasting battery. However, the issue was that the transistor would become damp, most likely from the body heat of the person wearing it.
The use of transistor hearing aids began to fade out around the 1980s, but the technology they used assisted in later forms of hearing aids. Around this time, “the behind” and “in the ear” (BTE/ITE) style hearing aids were being developed, allowing for far better comfort and convenience for the wearer.
Digital Hearing Aids
Beginning in the 1980s, digital signal processes (DSPs) provided the ability to have the audio come in and be translated to be heard rather quickly. Digital filters were invented in 1984, making hearing aids able to lessen the white noise and prevent interference from other device frequencies.
It took some time to get to quicker communication between the audio being heard and thought the hearing aid for the person to hear it. By the late 1980s, the digital Behind-the-Ear hearing aids grew in popularity, as eventually did the In-the-Ear (ITE) type hearing aid. Digital hearing aids were becoming more efficient by the late 90s and could be more compact, lighter, and adaptable.
As technology continued to expand, so did the amplifier in the hearing aids. To filter unwanted or unnecessary atmospheric sounds, it came at a cost. The batteries were often quickly drained, and the hearing aids lost power. Next to be improved upon would be the hearing aid battery.
Modern Hearing Aids
Modern hearing aids have improved, and technology is still being developed to improve them further to be more comfortable, discreet, long-lasting, accurate, and better functioning. One of the most significant changes that came with modern hearing aids was improved battery life.
Gone are the days, depending upon the type of hearing aid worn or switching out the hearing aid battery and having plenty of backup batteries stored. Modern hearing aid batteries can be rechargeable, much like the battery in phones can be providing an added convenience to the user.
Modern hearing aids can connect through Bluetooth technology to other devices, such as the user’s cell phone, radio, tv, or other Bluetooth-capable devices. In addition to having a better, multifunctioning hearing aid, it also came to personalize it to the users’ specific needs and even wants.
The Next 50 Years…
Hearing aids have come a long way over the past 50 years as they have become smaller, lighter, more comfortable, and most importantly, better able to assist the user in achieving their hearing goals. As technology advances, it will genuinely be remarkable to see what hearing aids will be like 50 years from now. The multifunctional ability of hearing aids is impressive and will continue to become even more so as time continues on.
If you are looking to upgrade your current hearing aid device or are beginning the process of finding the right one for the first time, the Hearing Associates of Las Vegas can assist you every step of the way, from testing to fitting. We are committed to providing a caring, high-quality service for all of our customers.
One thing is for sure, we are certainly grateful we have modern, discrete hearing aids……..
info@hearingassociateslv.com
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