How Hearing Aids Are Evaluated
by Brenda Murphy
Hearing aid also goes by the name deaf aid. It refers to a device that is designed to enhance hearing is people with hearing loss. These devices fall under mechanical devices in many countries and they are subject to regulation by the state. <a href="http://www.hearcareaudiology.com">Hearing aids</a> have evolved over time from devices like ear trumpets which gathered external sound energy f and directed it at the ear canal to computerized electroacoustic systems.
Modern devices which are computerized electroacoustic systems transform environmental sound so that it can be more intelligible and/or comfortable. Sound processing capabilities of modern devices allow them to highlight spatial region, shift frequencies, cancel noise and wind, and highlight voice. They need to be configured so that they match with the extent of hearing loss, lifestyle, and physical features around the wearer.
The term fitting is used to refer to the process by which an aid is configured so that it can match various aspects. The fitting is done by a specialist called an audiologist. The level of usefulness of a device is often dependent on the quality of fitting the audiologist does on it. It worth knowing that, deafness is not truly corrected by a deaf aid. All the device does is to increases the accessibility of sound.
Two main factors minimize how effective these devices can be. The first factor relates to the loss of brain cells that process sound. This happens when stimulation is not provided to primary auditory cortex regularly. The loss in these cells occurs progressively as the level of deafness increases in a person. The second factor relates to the damage of hair cells within inner ears because of sensorineural hearing loss. With the loss of these hair cells, it becomes hard to discriminate sounds.
Evaluation of how effective a gadget is in compensating for hearing loss is done using various methods. Among the evaluation methods currently in use is audiometry. This evaluation is undertaken under laboratory conditions to measure the level of hearing in a person. The method tries to mimic the conditions in a real world to the highest degree. However, regardless of the mimicry, patient experience is still very different.
The representation of the outcome of a device can be done using three key dimensions. The dimensions are hearing aid usage, aided speech recognition, and satisfaction. A technique called real ear measurement can be used to gauge the correctness of adjustments made to the device. A silicone probe tube microphone is employed in this method to assess characteristics of amplification the device does near the eardrum.
Different types of these instruments have been invented. The devices vary in their size, circuitry, and power among other factors. Major modern types today include body worn aid, receiver in the canal aid, BTE cross system, behind the ear aid, and on-the-ear aid. Other types are BTE Bi cross system, extended wear deaf aid, earmolds, open-fit gadgets, disosable deaf aid, invisible in canal deaf aid, stethoscope deaf aids, and bone anchored devices.
In most cases, modern gadgets run on button cell zinc-air batteries. These batteries come in five key standards. Mercury batteries used to be common in older models. There are also manufacturers who make modern devices that run on rechargeable of long-life disposable batteries.
When you need <a href="http://www.hearcareaudiology.com">hearing aids</a>, there is no better place than our audiology center. Come and review all the relevant info online at http://www.hearcareaudiology.com.
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New Unique Article!
Title: How Hearing Aids Are Evaluated
Author: Brenda Murphy
Email: nathanwebster335@live.com
Keywords: hearing aids
Word Count: 549
Category: Medicine
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