Despite being a common sight these days, most people don’t know anything about the history of the hearing aid. Many overlook hearing aids until they become prominent in our lives. It's amazing how something so small can have such a great impact on our lives. Here are some pieces of hearing aid history that you may not know.
Despite the hearing aid’s technological background and its advanced modifications, it’s actually older than some would suspect. In fact, the history of the hearing aid can be traced all the way back to the 13th century.
Some of the first hearing aids were actually constructed of animal horns and looked like trumpets. These trumpet-like hearing aids worked as the thin tube side was placed directly in the ear and the wider side facing away from the ear.
The hearing aid isn’t exactly what people would think of as a fashion choice. But, living in the 1800’s, the hearing aid started to show up more in modern life and it was almost a priority to make them fit in with social attire. If people weren’t trying to conceal them, they were used as decorative accessories such as collars, head wear and were even fixed into hairstyles.
By the 1900’s, hearing aid history got an upgrade when we were able to amplify sound electronically. The reason behind this breakthrough is the hearing aid manufacturers’ decision to make use of carbon microphones and batteries.
The very first electric hearing aid was created by Miller Reese Hutchison and was referred to as the Akouphone. To make the hearing aid portable, Hutchinson used a carbon transmitter to amplify sound.
By the late 20th century, smaller hearing aids were being developed. A key factor to the decrease of hearing aid size was the manufacturers’ idea to make transistors out of silicon. Take a look at how unobtrusive Miracle-Ear Discreet hearing aids have become!
Over the last few decades, hearing aids have made even more impressive breakthroughs. Learn about some of Miracle-Ear's most advanced hearing aid technology. We’re excited to see where this important technology goes in the next few decades! While hearing aids have a fascinating history, tomorrow looks even more exciting.
