04 Nov 2010
Today’s hearing instruments incorporate Bluetooth technology and sound filters to better serve users.
Forget the chunky hearing devices perched indiscreetly behind the ears.
These days, hearing instruments are not only smaller, but also wire-free.
“Hearing aids have caught up with the digital age since the introduction of digital signal processing,” said principal audiologist Gopal Sarepaka of the Singapore General Hospital. “Wireless programming is the current trend and this has rendered long cables unnecessary.”
Hearing instruments are now fully digital and can be customised using computer software.
This means wearers can choose which sound frequencies to amplify, depending on what they can or cannot hear. Hearing devices of the past merely made all sounds louder.
The hearing device still needs a processor but it is much smaller than before.
Remote control technology and Bluetooth connectivity have also come into the mix. These allow users to link up their hearing devices to televisions and mobile phones – so there is no need for the person to hold the phone to his ear, for example, said Dr Yuen Heng Wai, a consultant otolaryngologist at Changi General Hospital.
Instead, the wearer has only to hit a button on the hearing device to answer his phone.
Along with these modern advances are improvements in the quality of sound.
“Digital hearing aids can filter out background noise. This makes it easier for people to understand speech in noisy environments,” said Dr Yuen.
This is in marked contrast to hearing instruments of the past, which would amplify all sound signals without distinguishing between speech patterns and background chatter.
The user has to pick out important sounds from less important ones.
In addition, hearing devices are no longer one-fits-all. Today, the key word is customisation, said Mr Sarepaka.
“Hearing aids are more specific and diverse than before. They can be customised based on the individual’s hearing profile, lifestyle and personal preferences,” he said.
This will enable the hearing-impaired person to choose a hearing instrument that best suits his needs, which can be different even among people of similar age.
There are several types of hearing devices available.
These include behind-the-ear (BTE) and in-the-ear (ITE) models.
BTE devices, as the name suggests, are worn directly behind the ear. Sound is amplified and channelled to the ear canal via custom-made earmoulds.
ITE models fill the outer ear.
The choice depends on the person’s degree of hearing loss. There are different levels, with profound being the most serious.
In general, BTE hearing aids can cater to a wider spectrum of hearing loss – from mild to profound, said Mr Sarapeka.
BTEs have higher amplication abilities because they can come with bigger battery configurations.
In comparison, ITEs can accommodate only up to severe hearing loss.
The cause of hearing loss also determines the type of hearing device.
For example, a person who has hearing loss from a perforated eardrum should be fitted with a BTE hearing aid.
Other types would result in poorer ventilation of the ear canal and this can cause the damaged eardrum to be infected, said Dr Yuen.
A digital hearing instrument can cost from $2,000 to $7,000.
Mr Sarepaka hopes that with the constantly improving technology, people will gradually shed their resistance towards hearing devices.
“It is true that in Singapore, there is still a social stigma associated with the use of hearing aids,” he said. “However, with the fanciful colours and designs available, they can now be a fashion statement.
“What is more, the wireless technology incorporated in these devices allows people to listen to their mobile phones with just one simple touch.”
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Dept of Otolaryngology
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