Subj: hearing aid 189 solved Hearing aids.

A hearing aid is a device to amplify sound reaching ear by electrical or mechan ical means. December 2011 (RS2) 188 Otorhinolaryngology Solved Question Papers Components Input signal Microphone Figure 13: Hearing aid components Amplifier Receiver Ear coupler (ear phone) Eardrum a. Microphone - Collects sound and converts it into electrical impulses - Usually of magnetic type - Mechanical hearing aids have microphone in form of diaphragm, which converts sound energy into mechanical energy. b. Amplifier - Magnifies electrical impulse by increasing its voltage by implanted transmit ter. c. Receiver - Converts electrical impulses back to sound waves - Most are air conduction types - Bone conduction types are also present, which consists of a diaphragm connec ted to a vibrator. d. Batteries - Used to supply power. Types a. Bone conduction hearing aid. b. Air conduction hearing aid. Body worm HA Behind the ear HA In the ear HA In the canal HA Figure 14: Hearing aid types i. Body worn type - Most common type - Allows high-degree of amplification with minimal feedback - Useful in severely deaf and children with congenital deafness. ii. Behind the ear (BTE) type - A single unit consisting of amplifier, receiver and battery wom behind ear - Coupled to ear canal with tubing and an ear mould - Useful for slight to moderate hearing loss especially high-frequency ones. iii. Spectacle types - Single unit housed in auricular part of spectacle MBBS Phase III Examination - December 20X1 (RS2) 189 - Useful for people w ith h earing defects along w ith erro rs of refract ion - Not pop ular now . iv. In the e a r ( l i t ) type - Entire h earing aid is housed in e a r m ould w hich can be worn - Useful for m ild-to-m od erate h earing loss w ith fat configuration - Popular b ecause o f co sm etic ap pearance, v. Canal typ es (ITC and C IQ - Very sm all hearing aid th a t fits snuggly into e a r canal - Useful fo r m ild to m od erate ca se s of hearing loss to high frequen cy. Indications Sensorineural deafness

Conductive deafness Deaf children Reluctant p atien ts C ontraindications to su rg ery . Disadvantages Hearing aid sim plifies to am plify all frequencies within its range, it does not select o r emphasize certain frequencies overt oth ers like e a r Rarely resto res h earin g a cu ity to 100% Use is only p a llia tiv e , i.e . it d oes n o t cu re d eafness n or i t does a rrest disease producing deafness