Noise Reduction In Hearing Aids
argumentative Essay
2408 words
Recently in a local hearing clinic, a client’s concerns were discussed. “I’m afraid I won’t like them. My brother in law bought two hearing aids, and he keeps them in a drawer in the kitchen.” While the number of people dissatisfied with their hearing aids hovers around 50%, the hearing aid industry is hard pressed to decrease the number of returns, and increase the average daily use of each aid. In order to accomplish this, hearing aid manufacturers must answer the most often heard complaint: “It doesn’t work well in noise.”
Unfortunately, a hearing aid will never be able to accomplish the sifting and sorting that is carried out in the human brain. While a person with normal hearing sits in a restaurant, he can distinguish a conversational speech signal that is as little as three decibels greater than the ambient noise. On the other hand, a person with a 30-decibel sensorineural loss might need the speech signal to be 15 or more decibels greater than the ambient noise. The hearing aid’s task is to acoustically or electronically compensate for both the neurological shortcomings of the hearing impaired person and the wide band increase inherent in any basic amplifier.
Acoustic compensation can be carried out in a hearing aid microphone. Most hearing aids today utilize omnidirectional microphones, which pick up sound equally from all directions. This may be beneficial and practical in some cases, as in the completely in the canal (CIC) aid. The CIC aid uses the natural funneling of the auricle in order to focus sound directly into the instrument. Behind-the-ear (BTE) and full concha in-the-ear (ITE) aids lose this anatomical feature, and may benefit from a directional microphone. “The purpose of using a directional microphone is to focus its sensitivity toward the front of the listener, thereby attenuating or reducing unwanted “noise” or competition emanating from behind the listener.” (Stach 1998)
Microphone directionality can be accomplished by using a single microphone with two sound inlets. In this mechanical method, the time lag created by a sound entering each inlet is precisely calibrated to cancel out sounds from the sides and back of the microphone as they strike the diaphragm. The Phonak MicroZoom uses an electronic approach. Each MicroZoom contains two omnidirectional microphones. According to the flyer, “One picks up sound in front of you while a second picks up sound from the sides and rear.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the hearing aid industry is hard pressed to decrease the number of returns, and increase the average daily use of each aid.
- Explains that a hearing aid will never be able to accomplish the sifting and sorting that is carried out in the human brain.
- Explains that most hearing aids today utilize omnidirectional microphones, which pick up sound equally from all directions.
- Describes how the phonak microzoom uses an electronic approach to achieve microphone directionality by using a single microphone with two sound inlets.
- Argues that directional microphone technology is fallible in one regard: it assumes that all "noise" is spatially related. however, much of the noise present in our environment is omnidirectional.
- Explains that digital signal processing (dsp) is partly utilized in amplification in order to narrow the focus from "all" sounds to "speech".
- Explains that an ldfr hearing aid incorporates bill (bass increase at low levels) circuitry to reduce noise and improve speech discrimination performance.
- Explains that while it is reasonable to assume that bill circuitry would be beneficial in the presence of low frequency noise, there is no evidence that listeners with hearing loss exhibit upward spread of masking.
- Compares till processing with the k-amp&#61668, which reduces loudness discomfort associated with high-frequency sounds.
- Compares bill and till hearing aids, stating that both algorithms provide significant high frequency gain at low levels.
- Explains that the bill and till hearing aids are both effective with varying types of hearing losses, but noise perception can be changed by changing the frequency response of an amplifier.
- Explains that a pill circuit gives the clinician more options when adjusting for both noise, and sound quality.
- Describes spindel's "magnetic" hearing aid, which uses an implanted electromagnet to enhance hearing, reduce background noise, and eliminate feedback.
- Explains that the magnetic aid consists of a microphone, processing unit and electromagnetic coil, all of which are implanted. combining both signals in phase will have the constructive effect of directly increasing the amplitude of the wave travelling over the basilar membrane.
- Explains that the device generates a sound wave that is out of phase with the incoming signal. the elimination of feedback is another substantial gain of this type of aid.
- Explains that although the system is currently being tested on animals with favorable results, human testing will be necessary. the magnetic aid allows for an adjustable frequency / intensity analyzer to be implanted in the skull.
- Concludes that the advantage of noise reduction techniques in hearing aids is directly related to a reduction in listening aid complaints, and an increase in client satisfaction.
- Explains that automatic signal processing in hearing aids is also a valuable advantage for noise reduction.
- Explains that the magnetic hearing aid offers promises of exquisite noise reduction capability. the implantable processor analyzes sounds and isolates speech based on a user's configurations.
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- History of Hearing Aidsexplanatory essayThe story of the hearing aid depicts one of the most ridiculous timelines of technological advancements in all of history. Although we modernly think of a “hearing aid” as a small device which is inserted into the ear canal, the reality is that a hearing aid is “an apparatus that amplifies sound and compensates for impaired hearing.” Thus, I invite you to expand your mind, and draw your attention to the intriguing, and absolutely absurd, timeline of the hearing aid.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that the story of hearing aids depicts one of the most ridiculous timelines of technological advancements in all of history.
- Explains that the simple ear trumpet is the most common model of the ancestral hearing aid. it was carved from bull's horn or seashell to amplify sound.
- Explains that the acoustic throne was the next advancement used in the late 1700s and the early 1800s.
- Explains that the ear tube, developed in 1887, was a long hose with an widened opening at either side. effective, but not exactly attractive to look at.
- Explains that in 1901, the first electric hearing aids were designed, consisting of a carbon microphone, processing unit, battery box, and headpiece.
- Explains that the oticon pocket model was a small, pocket-sized battery and processor, and an earpiece which looked about the same as what we would now call an "earbud".
- Explains that the early 1960s gave way to an over-the-ear hearing aid, which combined a microphone, battery, and transistor in one unit.
572 wordsRead More - Hearing Lossexplanatory essayHearing Loss Around thirty-two million people in the United States have hearing losses of some degree. Of this number, approximately two million people have hearing losses severe enough to be considered deaf. We define the word “deaf,” as either partially or completely lacking in the sense of hearing (Lytle & Rovins). Throughout history, there have been many technological advances invented to aid the deaf, such as assistive devices, sign language, hearing aids and cochlear plants and mainstreaming. Many factors contribute to the millions of Americans suffering from some form of deafness.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that thirty-two million people in the united states have hearing losses of some degree.
- Explains that many factors contribute to the millions of americans suffering from some form of deafness.
- Explains that eardrum punctures and physical damage resulting from fevers and infections can damage the hearing and nerves at rock concerts.
- Explains that meningitis, mumps, and chicken pox can cause deafness especially at an early age. meniere's disease affects the inner ear, the control center for hearing and balance.
- Explains that technology has been increasing drastically in the last 50 years, with devices like alerting systems, telephone, television, and listening devices that’s allowed the hearing impaired to understand their surroundings.
- Explains how the hearing impaired can use a telephone with new age technology, such as cell phones, televisions, radios and theaters.
- Defines sign language as a language that uses manual, facial, and other body movements as the means of communication. it is used by approximately one-half million deaf people in the united states and canada.
- Explains that the four units that allow each sign to be different from another are hand shape, palm orientation, movement, and the location from where your hand gesture occurs.
- Explains the different types of signing that include finger spelling, classifiers, and lip movements. finger spelling spells out words letter by letter while representing the standard alphabet.
- Explains that the cochlear implant is an electronic apparatus that allows people with sever hearing loss to recognize some sounds, especially speech sounds.
- Explains that a cochlear device is made up of two parts. the first part is an electronic circuit that’s surgically placed in the skull behind the ear.
- Explains that sounds are picked up from the microphone and transmitted to the speech processor, which then transmits the sound into coded signals (mccleary). electrical energy is converted to stimulate nerve fibers.
- Explains that hearing aids are good, but by no means as effective as cochlear implants. they are also used by people with hard of hearing.
- Explains that mainstreaming is becoming more popular across the country. it puts all sorts of learners in the same classroom, instead of separating students according to their learning abilities.
- Explains that mainstreaming occurs more often in public schools, such as with a deaf student in many of their classes who was accompanied by an interpreter.
- Explains that mainstreaming can slow down children's learning and distract them from the learning material. some parents don't understand that a person with this disability needs to learn and interact with people just as much as any other person.
- Explains that technology has advanced so much that it’s hard to believe this may not occur. technology has given the hearing impaired the chance to live their life just like any other.
1717 wordsRead More - My Hearing Loss: What Makes Me Brief-My Hearing Lossexplanatory essayWhat makes me unique- My Hearing Loss Some people think that having a hearing loss is bad, and they want to do what they can to try and fix it. But, others choose to go through life with it and use technology to help. Because, having a hearing loss isn’t as bad as some people might think it is.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that over 5% of the world's population, -360 million people- has a disabling hearing loss.
- Narrates how they were born with a hearing loss in their left ear. they hated going to daycare because of all the changes.
- Describes how they had to relearn basic math and social skills. they met a deaf/hard-of-hearing teacher in fourth grade, who explained an fm system.
- Explains that they had cholesteatoma in their right ear and had to wear hearing aids in both ears. there are downsides and benefits to having a hearing loss.
906 wordsRead More - Cochlear Implants Essayexplanatory essayTechnology nowadays is getting more and more dangerous, especially to our ears. Every day we are subjected to videos, text sounds, alert sounds, alarms, and anything else that may be of use in life. These sounds seem to be happening more often which is damaging our ears. There is a solution to this damage though, and that is cochlear implants. These implants will bypass the damaged part of your ear to give you a sense of sound that can be made very useful to the patient. This paper will look into how the ear works, how hearing loss happens, why these cochlear implants are a good solution, how these implants work, cost and ethics related to these implants, and what the future holds for them.
In this essay, the author
- Explains how cochlear implants bypass the damaged part of the ear to give you a sense of sound that can be made very useful to the patient.
- Explains that hearing allows us to take in noises from the surrounding environment and gives us a sense of where things are in relation to us.
- Explains that cochlear implants are mainly for people that are deaf or severely hard of hearing. the most common type is sensorineural hearing loss.
- Explains that the cochlear implants of today help people that have severe shl or are actually deaf.
- Explains that post-lingually deaf adults lose their hearing due to exposure to loud noises, head trauma, or aging, and pre-linguisticly-dead children. the last group is the hard-of-hearing group.
- Explains that a traditional cochlear implant is comprised of 5 different parts: microphone, speech processor, transmitter, receiver/stimulator, and electrodes.
- Explains that a transmitter takes the signal from the speech processor and sends it to the receiver via radio frequency.
- Explains the pros and cons of a cochlear implant.
- Explains that implants are most effective in younger children, especially children that are still learning how to hear and speak. the procedure requires a huge decision and should not be taken lightly.
- Opines that the future of cochlear implants is bright with the way technology is increasing. the main feature that could be improved is the speech processor.
- Opines that cochlear implants are amazing feats of biomedical engineering, and have helped many people regain the ability to hear.
1851 wordsRead More - Hearing Loss Case Studyexplanatory essayWhat Treatments can be given to those with Hearing loss? Aim The aim is to learn about the treatments available for those who are hearing impaired. This essay will be looking at how the current treatments help, how it has evolved from the past, what is done to improve it. Summary
In this essay, the author
- Explains the aim of the essay, which is to learn about the treatments available for those who are hearing impaired.
- Explains that the essay will go through how the ear works and what causes hearing loss first, then explain the diagnosis process before focusing on the treatments.
- Explains that the inner ear consists of the vestibule, cochlea, semicircular canals, and nerves.
- Explains that a person who is hearing impaired can have bilateral or unilateral hearing loss. bilateral is when they have difficulty hearing in both ears.
- Explains that conductive hearing loss occurs when sound cannot pass into the inner ear, due to problems in the outer or middle
- Explains that hearing loss due to ear canals being blocked by the build-up of wax is temporary, as it can be removed by microsuction.
- Explains that antibiotics in form of ear drops is used to treat any bacterial infections in the outer or middle ears.
- Explains that surgeries can repair damaged tympanic membranes, amend ossicles bones, and drain excess fluid in the ear. all surgeries have potential to cause complications.
- Explains that hearing aids amplify the sounds to be louder, to make it clearer for those hard of hearing. they can only be used for patients with mild, moderate or severe hearing loss.
- Compares the extended wear hearing aids with the invisible in the ear canal (iic), which are not completely invisible from the outside.
- Explains that cochlea implants can be used as an alternative by those who do not benefit from using hearing aids (hence profoundly deaf). the external part of the implant includes the microphone, speech processor, and transmitter.
- Explains that before electricity came about, people used ear trumpets instead of hearing aids to help them hear better. they also used other devices such as conversation tubes and auricles.
- Explains that research has been done on mice to find a way for gene therapy to be used to restore hearing.
- Explains that people suffering from hearing loss do not rely on hearing aids and cochlea implants when communicating. sign language is where movements and shaping of hands are used to communicate in the place of speech.
- Explains that they have a bilateral moderate to severe sensorineural hearing loss. they have tried three different models of bte hearing aids over the years.
- Concludes that there are various treatments available to help those suffering from different types of hearing loss.
- Explains that the anatomy of the ear splits into three parts, the outer, middle and inner.
- Explains that a damaged tympanic membrane aka eardrum can be perforated, otosclerosis, and cholesteatoma.
- Explains the causes of sensorineural hearing loss, including loud noises, age, and inherited genetics.
- Explains that the rinne and weber tests use a 512 hz tuning fork, which is placed at different positions of the patient's head.
- Explains that formal hearing tests are carried out as a part of the health and development check up of babies and young children to identify any hearing loss.
- Explains that the audiologist will provide the patient with hearing aids that they believe are best suited for them.
- Explains that the royal national institute for deaf people supports people with hearing loss and tinnitus by providing day-to-day care, communication services and training, and offering practical advice to help people protect their hearing.
3965 wordsRead More - Hearing Loss Essaycomparative essayHearing Loss - Description Hearing loss is a major global public health issue. Hearnet (2017) defines hearing loss as “a disability that occurs when one or more parts of the ear and/or the parts of the brain that make up the hearing pathway do not function normally” (para. 1). There are many different types of hearing loss, which can have multiple causes, giving each individual experiencing the issue a unique hearing loss case. These types include Auditory Processing Disorders, when the brain has problems processing sound information; Conductive Hearing Loss, a problem with the outer or middle ear which prevents sound making its way to the inner ear; and Sensorineural Hearing Loss, when the Cochlea or auditory nerve is damaged and cannot
In this essay, the author
- Explains that hearing loss is a major global public health issue. auditory processing disorders and conductive hearing loss can be classified as mild, moderate, severe, or profound.
- Explains that deterioration of hearing is a normal response to increasing age and around one third of people aged over 65 years are affected by disabling hearing loss.
- Explains that over 5% of the world's population has disabling hearing loss, which equates to around 360 million people worldwide.
- Explains the differences and similarities between the attitudes and beliefs towards hearing loss in indian and south african culture.
- Explains that both india and south africa have superstitious beliefs about the origins of hearing loss, although these are not the same in both cultures.
- Compares the attitudes towards infant hearing loss in south africa and india. swanepoel and almec (2008) conducted a face-to-face survey among 100 south african mothers accessing the public healthcare system.
- Compares the treatment of hearing loss in south africa and india, stating the similarities and differences between the two cultures.
- Concludes that while indian and south african cultures share similarities in attitudes towards hearing loss, there are major differences in their beliefs about both the causes and appropriate treatment of hearing impairment.
1631 wordsRead More - Assistive Listening Devicesanalytical essayOn the other hand, the Kendall Support Services Team (2003) indicates that FM hearing aids allow children to hear at the same volume regardless of where they are seated. In fact, FM systems may cover over 100 feet and are portable (Colorado Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing). These systems require teachers to wear microphones and students to wear special hearing aids (Kendall Support Services Team, 2003). Similarly, soundfield systems amplify the instructor’s voice, not only for the deaf students, but for the w...
In this essay, the author
- Explains the increasing need for educational and assistive technology in mainstream schools. teachers must understand how to best serve the needs of individual deaf children through technology.
- Explains that assistive listening devices can improve the communication ability of deaf children, such as hearing aids, soundfield systems, and cochlear implants.
- Explains that communication devices, such as e-mail, asynchronous discussions, and real-time discussion forums, promote equal access for deaf children.
- Argues that technology can be powerful tools in deaf education only if the instructors are proficient in using them.
- Explains how visual cues enhance the learning experience of deaf and hard-of-hearing children.
- Explains alliance for technology access's guide to assistive technologies, tools, and resources for people with disabilities. scherer, m. j., christiansen, b.
- Cites the colorado commission for the deaf and hard of hearing's communication access accommodations for people with hearing loss. kendall school support services team.
- Cites clymer, e. w., mckee, b. g. and robertson, l.
2448 wordsRead More - Are Cochlear Implants a Threat to the Deaf Community?opinion essayWhile not a cure to deafness, the invention of cochlear implants (CIs) now allows people who are severely hard of hearing or profoundly deaf to experience sound in a completely new way. This surgically implanted electronic device can provide a prosthetic substitute for hearing in deaf individuals. While everyone can agree this device has changed the way the world views deafness, opinions differ on whether this change is for the better or for the worse. The argument over cochlear implants raises the question should deafness be considered a fixable defect or
In this essay, the author
- Argues that the deaf community feels that as the minority, the hearing majority is threatening their way of life.
- Explains the risks of surgery, maintenance, and lifestyle changes that an individual with a cochlear implant will have to undergo.
- Explains that kathleen hoope, one of many parents of a deaf child, decided against getting her son implanted because of the risks of surgery, maintenance, and the long term lifestyle change involved with cochlear implants.
- Explains that the decision whether or not cochlear implants are a threat to the deaf community ultimately lands in their hands.
- States that henshaw, ashley, "the pros and cons of cochlear implants." symptomfind.com.
- Opines that cochlear implants are a medical advancement that can benefit many deaf individuals by giving them opportunities that may not have otherwise.
- Explains how cochlear implants work by bypassing all the damaged parts of the ear to directly stimulate the tiny hair cells that direct sound frequencies to the auditory nerve.
- Explains that cochlear implants face strong opposition, but medical professionals see them as medical advancement that has the capability to help many.
- Opines that a medical professional's job is to recommend treatments that will help their patients become the most functional member of society.
- Describes who's "global burden of disease: 2004 update". geneva, switerland. better health channel.
1695 wordsRead More - Cochlear Implants Essayexplanatory essayThere is no denying that hearing loss can have significant psychosocial impacts on those who experience it. The most negatively impacted group, however, is young children, for whom hearing loss can impede early learning and development (Connor et al., 2006). One viable solution to this problem takes the form of cochlear implants. An artificial cochlear unit is surgically implanted in the ear and functions by translating sounds directly into electrical impulses and sending them to the brain (Roland & Tobey, 2013, p. 1175). Despite the high success rates that they have produced, critics contend that cochlear implants should not be carried out on very young children. They cite certain physiological concerns as well as doubts about long-term effectiveness (Hehar et al., 2002, p. 11). Some have even expressed worries that cochlear implants will negatively impact young children’s social development by making them feel different or out of place (Ketelaar, 2012, pp. 518-519). Certainly, not every child with hearing loss is a viable candidate for an implant procedure. However, when a candidate has been positively identified, the procedure should take place as early as possible, in order to guarantee maximum educational and developmental benefits.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that some children with hearing loss are not credible candidates for cochlear implants. however, there are no guarantees of a successful outcome.
- Describes roland, p.s., and tobey, e. (2013). a tribute to a remarkably sound solution.
- Explains that hearing loss can have significant psychosocial impacts on those who experience it. the most negatively impacted group is young children.
- Explains that cochlear implants are more customizable than they once were, a factor that weighs in support of early implantation.
1836 wordsRead More - Relay Services for the Deafexplanatory essay“Ultratec Public TTY Hearing Impaired Telephones -Vandal Proof Motorized or Shelf Top Units.”(n.d) Phone Merchants. Retrieved December 4, 2004, from http://www.phonemerchants.com/ulpubttyhear.html.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that deaf people can have a casual conversation without realizing the difficulties that 202,613 hard of hearing people might face in the world.
- Explains that of the 85 million telephones in the united states and canada, less than one percent were used regularly by deaf people. the new technology that is coming out aids them.
- Explains that robert h. weitbrecht led the way to developing one of the most popular technology services for the deaf- the teletypewriter using shortwave radios.
- Explains that the teletypewriter-tty, also called text telephones, enables deaf or hard of hearing people to make phone calls that they wouldn't normally be able to do on a standard telephone.
- Explains that maryland relay is a public service that provides operators for the tty phone to people with disability, assistance income or insurance.
- Explains that the maryland relay service and tty phones are not available to everyone. the person must be a maryland resident of at least five years of age.
- Explains that the tty system is beneficial for deaf people because it demonstrates that they are just like everyone else and doesn't have to be a disability.
- Explains that people can use text to voice telecommunications relay services or voice carry over. hearing carryover is helpful to people with speech impediments because they type what they would like to say and the communication assistant relays it verbally.
- Explains video relay services, and internet protocol relay, as well as verbal assistance and visual technology, which are convenient because people own computers linked to the internet.
- Opines that it is important that society knows and understands relay services for deaf/hard of hearing people.
- Cites boswell's untapped resource: speech relay service remains underutilized.
- Explains that fcc agrees to new relay requirements.
- Cites lang, harry g., "a phone of our own." the national deaf children's society fact sheet.
- Explains that texas school for the deaf goes to the head of the class...with installation of sprint empowered educationsm.
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