Journal of Phonetics & Audiology
Open Access

Brief Note on Hearing Aid and Its Applications

Vignesh Reddy Angadi^{* *}Correspondence: Vignesh Reddy Angadi, Department of Community Medicine, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Karnataka, India, Email:

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Description

A hearing aid is a tool used to help hearing loss sufferers hear better by amplifying sound. In the majority of nations, hearing aids are categorized as medical devices and are subject to the corresponding legislation. It is prohibited to market small audio amplifiers as "hearing aids," such as personal sound amplification products (PSAPs).

Early sound amplification devices, such ear trumpets and ear horns, were passive cones that gathered sound energy and directed it into the ear canal. According to audio metrical and cognitive norms, modern technologies are computerized electroacoustic systems that modify surrounding sound to make it audible. Modern systems also make use of advanced digital signal processing to try and enhance user comfort and speech understanding. These signal processing techniques include frequency lowering, directionality, feedback control, wide dynamic range compression, and noise reduction.

Modern hearing aids must be customized to the wearer's hearing loss, physical characteristics, and lifestyle. The most recent audiogram is used to suit the hearing aid, which is then frequency-programmed. Fitting is a procedure carried out by an audiologist (AuD), a doctor of audiology, or a hearing instrument specialist (HIS). The effectiveness of a hearing aid's fitting has a significant impact on the amount of benefit it provides. In the US, digital hearing aids are almost universal. The Osseo integrated auditory prosthesis (formerly known as the boneanchored hearing aid) and cochlear implant are devices that are similar to hearing aids.

Hearing aid applications

The fundamental workings of a HAA are the same as those of conventional hearing aids: a microphone picks up an acoustic signal and converts it to a digital form. Depending on the type and severity of the user's hearing loss, sound is amplified using a mobile computing platform. The user's headphones or headset receive the processed audio signal after being converted into an audio signal. Real-time signal processing is employed.

Because they enable for the separation of the left and right ears' binaural hearing correction, stereo headsets with two speakers are ideal for usage with mobile computational platforms. Both wired and wireless headsets and headphones can be used with HAAs.

HAAs typically have two modes of operation; setup mode and hearing aid mode. The user must successfully complete an in situaudiometry technique to assess their hearing characteristics before entering setup mode. A hearing correction system called hearing aid mode adjusts the user's hearing based on their individual hearing thresholds. HAAs also provide acoustic feedback and background noise suppression.

The user can separately select a formula to amplify the sound and customize the desired level of amplification.

HAAs have several advantages (compared to traditional hearing aids):

• HAAs don't have any negative psychological effects.

• Due to the huge speakers and long battery life, the maximum sound pressure level and sound quality are achievable.

• Due to the capacious battery, it is feasible to apply more sophisticated audio signal processing methods and a higher sample rate.

• The ability to create more practical application control features for those with limited motor control

• Resistance to earwax and moisture infiltration

• The adaptability of software;

• Acoustic feedback is avoided by the huge gap between the speaker and the microphone;

• Simple cases do not necessitate specialized equipment or credentials for HAA setup;

• No additional equipment needs to be purchased or carried by the user;

• A variety of headphone and headset models are available.

• In addition, HAAs have the following drawbacks as compared to conventional hearing aids:

• Since the microphone is not inside the ear, it does not benefit from the auricle's functional benefits or the outer ear's inherent acoustics.

• They are less comfortable to wear and more conspicuous.