There are three sorts of people in the world: those who are really interested and fascinated by history, those whose eyes glaze over and they begin to fall asleep when history is discussed, and people who think that aliens are responsible for history.

Aliens aren’t responsible for the history of hearing aids. But the true story is probably pretty weird as well. After all, hearing loss isn’t really a new thing; it’s been around as long as humans have. People have, consequently, been trying to find new effective ways to handle hearing loss since the beginning of our existence.

Being aware of the history of your hearing aids can give you a deeper appreciation of how your own little, digital devices work, and why you should use them more frequently.

For thousands of years, people have been dealing with hearing loss

Evidence of hearing loss dating back to the very start of human existence has been found by archaeologists. They can detect signs of ear pathologies in fossil evidence. It’s rather amazing! Reports of hearing loss also start appearing once written language becomes a thing (for example, there are many Egyptian sources that mention hearing loss symptoms).

So, clearly, hearing loss is nothing new. And it’s likely always sort of sucked (particularly when left untreated). When you have neglected hearing loss, you will find it more difficult to communicate. Friends and family members may become more distant. In a more “hunter and gatherer” style of society, you might also lose your ability to detect danger (resulting in a shorter lifespan).

So for thousands of years, humans have had an incentive to learn how to manage hearing loss. And they’ve even managed some great successes!

The progression of hearing aid like devices

The first thing to appreciate is that our history of hearing aids isn’t complete. Not all evidence of hearing devices is recorded through time. Even if we don’t have a published record of exactly what ancient people did to alleviate hearing loss, it’s very likely that they took measures in that direction.

Still, here’s what the known “hearing aid timeline” looks like:

• 1200s: Animal Horns: Hollowed out animal horns served as some of the earliest proto-hearing aids. People probably used this device to amplify sound and reduce the effect of hearing loss and evidence of this sort of device goes back to the 1200s. The idea was that the funnel-shape of a hollowed out animal bone would help move sound more directly into the ear. There was no amplification involved, so these animal horns weren’t working on the same level as a modern hearing aid (obviously). But they probably help focus the sound you want to hear and limit distracting external sounds.
• 1600s: Ear Trumpet: For hundreds of years, the “cone shaped” hearing device was the dominant format. And that persisted into the seventeenth century, when “ear trumpets” became a popular means of managing hearing loss. These devices looked, well, like trumpets. The small end would go in your ear. They came in a wide variety of shapes and materials. Initially, they were large and cumbersome. Eventually, more portable models that could be carried around with you were developed. Because there was still no amplification, they were roughly as effective as the bigger versions. But they could funnel sounds into your ear, and direct sound more intentionally toward you.
• 1900s: Electronic Amplification: Alright, here we go: the development of the carbon microphone (okay, the carbon microphone was really invented in the late 1800s, but it wasn’t really employed for hearing aids until later). Their ability to amplify should have made hearing aids reliable and practical, right? Well, not so much. In the early 1900s these devices were too large to be realistic or wearable. The root principle was there, but the technology wasn’t refined enough to be truly practical.
• 1920s: Wearable Hearing Devices: Say hello to vacuum tubes! The same technology that energized those old, incredibly bulky television sets was actually cutting edge, once upon a time! These vacuum tubes permitted (relatively) smaller, wearable hearing aids to be made, the size of a backpack. New technologies also permitted better amplification and slightly clearer sound.
• 1940s: Pocket-Sized Hearing Aids: From fitting a hearing aid in a backpack to being capable of putting one in your purse or pocket, it’s a giant leap! The same effect was now available with less bulky technology as a result of the invention of the transistor. It became a huge advantage, as a result of this technology, to bring your hearing aid with you wherever you went.
• 1970s and 1980s: Hearing Aids Get Smaller: As technologies advanced, hearing aids got smaller. The 1970s and 80s, in particular, saw a considerable reduction in the size of hearing aids. Consequently, they became more prominent and easier to use. The amplification, unfortunately, was still very basic. They just increased the volume of all of the sound they picked up. Most people need something a little more fine tuned to address their hearing loss, but it was still better than nothing.
• 1982: Digital Hearing Aid: While not fully implemented and commercially introduced until 1996, 1982 was the year of the first digital hearing aid. Digital hearing aids changed the hearing aid landscape by making everything smaller and more discrete while providing custom amplification and better sound quality. With the advent of digital hearing aids, treatment for hearing loss became much more potent and successful.
• 2000s (and Beyond): Hearing Aids Get Wireless and Smart: An growing amount of state-of-the-art technology has been put into these digital hearing aids since they were developed. Wireless, Bluetooth technology came first. And now, modern hearing aids will use machine learning algorithms to help you hear better than ever. This integration with other technologies makes hearing aids more efficient, and more convenient!

History’s most advanced hearing aids

For hundreds of years or more, humans have been working on managing hearing loss.
Contemporary hearing aids can accomplish that better than at any point in the history of humanity. And because they’re so effective, these little devices are also more popular than ever. They can help with a larger number of hearing problems.

So hearing aids can help you if you want to have a better connection with your friends, family, or the clerk at your local pharmacy. (See? No aliens involved.)

Discover how hearing aids can improve your life. Call us for an appointment.

Call Today to Set Up an Appointment

References
https://hearinghealthfoundation.org/blogs/hearing-aid-history-ear-trumpets-european-royalty-earbuds

https://www.hear-it.org/lighter-smaller-and-better