Is a hearing aid a mini computer for your ears?

Modern hearing aids are very advanced technological products. It is best to explain hearing aids as a type of specialized computer. Most of my patients have only a small idea of how complex a hearing aid really is. On occasion someone might say to me "why are hearing aids so expensive it's just a fancy amplifier." That is an outdated belief as hearing aids haven't been simply an amplifier for decades.

Modern hearing aids are built with capabilities that are so complex it can be a daunting task to explain to my patients how they work. But here are some of the basic parts. There are one or two highly sensitive microphones to receive all of the sounds coming at the user. When sound is collected by those microphones it is received by a tiny processor similar to one used in a desktop computer. The processor adjusts the sounds coming in to selectively fit the individual hearing loss of the user. Modern processors can tell the difference between quiet, background noise, speech, and music and thus correct only the sounds a user wants to hear. Finally an amplifier will then make the modified sounds sufficiently loud enough and send the modified sounds to the high fidelity speaker inside the ear. These parts are so tiny that a microscope must be used to view them. The newest hearing aids go another step further and can connect directly to televisions or portable devices like phones and music players so that the user can listen to them through the hearing aid.

In order to achieve all of the above the hearing aid must be connected to a computer to be programmed by a hearing professional who understands each individual’s hearing needs. Most hearing aids can be programmed to help with all types and severities of hearing loss just by changing the programming. This allows patients who have a change in hearing over time to continue to use the same hearing aids as only the settings have to be updated.

Modern hearing aids use a lot of power so batteries made for hearing aids have to carry a strong enough charge to operate these miniature workhorses all day for several days. This is why hearing aid batteries need to be replaced about every two weeks or more often for smaller batteries.

When you think about all that a hearing aid has to do it is not surprising that such a wonderful, miniature, smart little device is so expensive. Hearing aids today are making magnificent use of the best modern technology has to offer and help so many hard of hearing people hear better today than ever before. I am so glad that this technology is available for me and for my patients. It is an exciting time to be an audiologist and to help people hear better for life.

This blog posted by Suzanne Yoder, Au.D. Doctor of Audiology and owner of HearWell Center. Please visit our website for more information http://www.hearwellcenter.com/

Consumer Information on Hearing Care, Hearing Aids and Choosing an Audiologist

Mar 25, 2008 08:00 ET



National Network of Audiologists Launches Consumer Education Video Website
AuDNet, Inc.'s New User-Friendly Website Offers Consumers Information on Hearing Care, Best Hearing Aids, and Choosing an Audiologist in Neighborhoods Across the US

BURNSVILLE, MN (Marketwire - March 25, 2008) - AuDNet, Inc. -- America's Audiology Network, a national network of audiologists and Doctors of Audiology, announced today that it launched multiple videos on their consumer education website www.NowiHear.com. The purpose of the website is to teach consumers about quality hearing care including how to choose a competent professional and the best hearing aids. The website provides information on causes of hearing loss, complete audiology hearing tests, causes of deafness, ear doctors, the best hearing care and hearing loss treatment including hearing aids and hearing aid services.

Audiology care also includes testing for balance, dizziness, and tinnitus (noise in the ears) and the associated therapies, hearing conservation, and hearing protection among other things. The user-friendly site walks the viewer through many of the important things to consider when he, she, or a family member experiences hearing, understanding, or balance problems.

"Today over 31.5 million American's experience some degree of hearing loss and with our aging demographic more and more American's will experience hearing, understanding, balance, or dizziness problems. It is projected that over 78 million Americans will experience some degree of hearing loss by 2030. It is so important that consumers know not only where to find appropriate care, but also where to find the best hearing and balance care. The site (www.NowiHear.com) offers an easy, fun, and accurate educational tool for consumers," stated Kathy Foltner, Au.D. -- Doctor of Audiology and CEO of AuDNet.
About AuDNet, Inc.

AuDNet, Inc. is a national network of licensed audiologists and Doctors of Audiology who are "THE Hearing Experts." AuDNet Audiologists and Doctors of Audiology are an elite group of highly trained, educated, licensed, and experienced professionals who specialize in audiology care and rehabilitation including hearing aids. Although AuDNet audiologists can diagnose all ages, the growing aging demographic means millions more of Americans must understand who is best qualified to solve problems associated with hearing loss. To learn more about AuDNet visit www.aud-net.com or call 1-800-308-7290.



This news release posted by Suzanne Yoder, Au.D. Doctor of Audiology and owner of HearWell Center. Please visit our website for more information www.hearwellcenter.com.

Announcing Health Fair

HearWell Center will be participating in a health fair event at Station Square in Pittsburgh, PA on June 27, 28 and 29th.

Many of our best products will be on display. We will also demonstrate video-otoscopy, a way to view the inside of your ear with a camera.

Please stop and see our booth. We look forward to sharing all the wonderful ways to hear better for life.





Suzanne Yoder, Au.D.
Doctor of Audiology & Owner of HearWell Center