Hearing Aid Evolution

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Hearing Aid Evolution

  • 1800s

    19th Century the Ear Trumpet

    Ear Trumpet

    Ear trumpets are tubular or funnel-shaped devices which collect sound waves and lead them into the ear

    The first firm to begin commercial production of the ear trumpet was established by Frederick C. Rein in London in 1800

  • 1876

    Telephones

    First Telephones

    Alexander Graham Bell invents the first telephone. This helps revolutionise hearing aids. It allowed greater control of the loudness, frequency and distortion of sounds.

  • 1913

    Siemens

    Siemens becomes one of the first creators of electronically amplified hearing aids.

    These hearing aids were bulky and not easily portable, being the size of a cigar box and a speaker that would fit in the ear.

  • 1920

    The invention of the vacuum tube

    Vacuum Tube

    The invention of the vacuum tube. A hearing aid that incorporated the vacuum tube was patented by naval engineer Earl Hanson. It was called the vactuphone and used the telephone transmitter to turn speech into electical signals.

  • 1948

    Bell laboratories invent the transistor

    Transistor

    Bell laboratories invent the transistor - leading to many major improvements in hearing aids.

  • 1970's

    The microprocessor was created

    The microprocessor was created.
    Researcher Edgar Villchar developed multi-channel compression.

  • 1975

    Daniel Graupe

    Daniel Graupe developed a six channel hearing aid.

  • 1987

    The first commercial digital hearing aid created.

    Bell develops a hybrid digital-analog hearing aid.

    ReSound and other companies begin putting out hybrid hearing aids that included analog amplifiers, filters, and limiters that were managed digitally.

  • 1995

    Oticon digital hearing aid.

    All digital hearing aid by Oticon is used for research.

  • 1996

    First commercially successful all-digital hearing aid

    The first commercially successful all-digital hearing aid by Widex created.

  • 2000s

    Modern Era

    Programmable hearing aids. Reduced size with increased features. Efficient batteries allow reduction in size. Multiple bands and channels allow the aids to better fit a persons hearing loss.

    • Invisible Hearing Aids - IIC Invisible in the Canal
    • Smaller behind the ear hearing aids
    • Waterproof features on some aids
    • First Invisible Extended Wear Hearing Aid developed by Lyric
    • Better at reducting background noise and increasing comfort
    • Ability to zoom in on speech
    • Wireless capabilities
  • 2014

    Made for iPhone Hearing Aids

    Abitilty to stream audio directly into your hearing aid devices.

  • 2016

    Wireless Streaming

    Sophisticated hearing aids that can stream audio direct to the aids without the need for an intermediate streamer.

  • 2017

    Rechargeable Hearing Aids

    Long lasting, quick charging rechargeable hearing aids. For example the Phonak Marvel Rechargeable Hearing Aid "Lithium rechargable technology - built to last 6 years - 16 hours on one charge if streaming up to 4 hours (24 hours if no streaming)"

  • 2018

    Stream from any device

    Phonak developed a hearing aid that can stream from any device - iPhone or Android refer - Phonak Audeo Marvel.

  • 2019

    Phonak Audeo Marvel 2.0

    Phonak Marvel Features

    Upgrades via an App. without needing to visit your audiologist allowing users to personalise their devices. Streaming to 2 devices - so you could have your phone and an iPad connected to your hearing aids. Titanium allows the hearing aids to be smaller and stronger. Accessories that allow you to stream a chosen voice via a Roger™ device.

Hearing Aid Types in Australia

Heaing Aid Types

Hearing Aid Brands in Australia

Phonak Hearing Aids
Oticon Hearing Aids
Resound Hearing Aids
Siemens Hearing Aids
Sonic Innovations Hearing Aids
Starkey Hearing Aids
Widex Hearing Aids
Unitron Hearing Aids