hearing aids

• • A battery-operated electronic device fitting into the hollow outside of the ear canal
• • Amplifies sound waves within the ear canal→ eardrum, ossicles, cochlea must have an adequate level of function so sound can be registered and converted into an electrochemical signal
• • Can be used for people with conductive or sensorineural hearing loss
• • Microphone→ receives sound waves, changing them into electrical energy
• • Amplifier: makes the signal stronger
• • Receiver: changes electrical energy to sound energy
• • Speaker: directs sound energy into the ear canal
• • Relatively cheap and easy to install
• • They amplify all sounds in the environment including background noise, and can cause pain
• • It doesn't help with severe damage to the inner ear/ auditory nerve
• • Bone conduction implants: work by creating vibrations conducted directly to the cochlea. Used to treat conductive hearing loss. Bypasses a dysfunctional outer and middle ear, but the inner ear must be working