Evolution of Hearing Aids

19th Century the 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

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.

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.

The invention of the 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.

Bell laboratories invent the transistor

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

The microprocessor was created

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

Daniel Graupe

Daniel Graupe developed a six channel hearing aid.

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.

Oticon digital hearing aid.

All digital hearing aid by Oticon is used for research.

First commercially successful all-digital hearing aid

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

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.

Made for iPhone Hearing Aids

Abitilty to stream audio directly into your hearing aid devices.

Wireless Streaming

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

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)"

Stream from any device

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

Phonak Audeo Marvel 2.0

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.