Who Invented Hearing Aids?

The ability to hear is one of the five main senses of human beings. This is possible by several small organs in the ear sending signals to the brain. When something stops working, you will develop hearing loss. It may be temporary, but it could become permanent. This can be very scary at first, but you are not alone. Hearing loss is so common that hearing care and hearing aids have been around for centuries. Here is a detailed history of hearing aids.

The First Hearing Aids

The first device in hearing care was the ear trumpet. It came about in the early 1600s. This large device resembled the bell of a trumpet. Users placed this device next to the ear. The goal of the device was to amplify surrounding sounds. This made it easier for someone to hear. The ear trumpet came in a many sizes based on the how bad your hearing loss was. It was the main source of hearing care until the late 19th century.

First Electronic Hearing Aids

Hearing aids did not use electricity until 1898 by Miller Reese Hutchinson. These early electronic hearing aids used the same technology featured in the telephone. In this time, the telephone only came about a few decades earlier. It would take 15 years before the first electronic hearing aids were available. For those with hearing loss, this was a huge improvement. Unfortunately, the first hearing aids were very expensive and heavy. This eliminated all their practicality in the hearing care business.

Updates Over Time

Hearing aids have improved over time as technology got better. The scientific advances created during World War II benefitted those using hearing aids. The most important invention during this time was the transistor. This decreased the size of commercial hearing aids. It also improved their functionality. They reduced battery usage and noise distortion. The middle of the 20th century was the first time someone could walk around with a hearing aid. It fit in their ear and let them function as they did before hearing aids.

Hearing Aids Of Today

The hearing aids of today don’t resemble the ones used a few decades ago. The devices are so small that your friends may not even realize you are wearing hearing aids. They are completely digital and use batteries that last many days without charging. You can even connect your phone calls and music to your hearing aids using Bluetooth. This all helps you maintain a sense of normalcy, even if you have hearing loss.

Call Us Today

Now that you know how hearing care has evolved over the years, it is time to address your hearing loss. Contact us today to learn more about how hearing aids can transform every aspect of your life. One of our hearing care team member can help you find the best hearing aids for you. We can help you size them and fit them for your preferences. Call us today to schedule an appointment.