Who Invented the Hearing Aid

Hearing aid is a small electro-acoustic device that proves to be of great help to those suffering from hearing loss. It is able to amplify and modulate sounds received by its wearer. It consists of a receiver, an amplifier and a microphone. The microphone receives the audio signals and converts them into electrical signals. The amplifier amplifies these signals and the hearing aid wearer is able to listen to the sound received. Since when have hearing aids been used? Who invented the hearing aid? Let us find out.

Hearing Aid History

Preliminary forms of hearing aids have been in use since centuries. Their design has undergone significant changes with the passing time. Today, we find a wide variety of hearing aids in the market. Their designs have advanced over time.

The first hearing aids were created in the 1500s. The devices of this period were made of wood. Their shape and size resembled those of the human ear. By the 19th century, hearing aids were sold in many parts of the world as consumer products. However, the hearing aids of those times were affordable only by the upper economic class of society.

Out of the many types available today, the Body-worn hearing aids were the first ones to be invented. Harvey Fletcher, an American physicist working at Bell Laboratories, came up with the design of the Body-worn hearing aids.

The hearing aid technology has evolved to a great extent today. Hearing aids using wireless technologies, those with directional microphones and precision amplifiers are some of the reformed versions of hearing aids available. They are indeed a great relief to the old and the hearing-impaired. Find information about hearing aids.