Hearing-related issues are continually rising across the world. The hearing loss in patients is causing many problems socially, medically, and psychologically. People with impaired hearing conditions suffer a lot in terms of psychological aspects in society if the impairment is not treated timely. Hearing loss is also associated with dementia in many cases, according to the latest research findings.
With the advancement in technologies, numerous assistive technologies, as well as medical interventions, have been developed for solving the hearing health problems. Many products and gadgets powered by software applications have been introduced in the marketplace. Advanced technologies such as Ruby, Java, C#, PHP, and many others are extensively used for developing hearing loss solutions. The demand for Ruby on rails programmers is very high in this particular field.
What Are Hearing Issues?
The condition of a patient in which the hearing of the patient becomes impaired due to internal or external effects is known as hearing issues or hearing impairment. The severe condition that makes the patient unable to hear any sound is known as hearing loss.
In today’s modern era of technologies, there are numerous assistive gadgets and appliances that are used for patients with hearing loss. According to the World Health Organization information, there are more than 466 million people affected with disabling hearing loss, which means those patients cannot hear sound up to 40 decibels (dB). Moreover, there will be about 900 million people affected by disabling hearing loss by 2050.
Reasons for Hearing Loss
There are numerous reasons for hearing loss condition in the patients. A few very important ones are listed below.
- Inherited disorders (genetic problem)
- Infections in the middle of the ears
- Infectious illnesses such as Mumps, Meningitis, and others
- Age factors
- Congenital impairment by birth
- Jaundice in the child at birth
- Lack of availability of oxygen to the newly born child at birth
- Severe body infections can also impair the hearing
- Side effects of certain medications
- Exposure to dangerous chemicals
- Exposure to severe noise above the 80 dB level
- Injury to head or trauma conditions
- And many others
Types of Hearing Loss
The hearing losses are divided into four types. They are listed below.
- Sensorineural Loss
- Auditory Neuropathy Hearing Loss
- Conductive Loss
- Mixed Hearing Loss
The patients affected with the sensorineural hearing loss category cannot be treated to reverse their conditions. But in some cases, different treatment approaches are there to recover damages to the hearing systems through rehabilitation therapies and advanced hearing technologies. The conductive hearing loss can be treated with surgical procedures. The ratio of this hearing loss is lower than the people affected by the sensorineural disorder.
How to Avoid Hearing Issues?
The hearing loss issues can be avoided by taking measures against the causes of the illness. For instance, more than 60% of child patients sustain hearing loss due to preventable diseases at earlier stages. Proper treatment should be provided to the children as soon as the hearing issues symptoms appear in the patient.
Childbirth complications and baby care programs can be implemented to save the children from the conditions that can lead to hearing loss conditions.
What Products and Technology Solve Hearing Loss Issues?
Assistive hearing loss technology has emerged as a boon for the patients suffering from hearing impairment issues. The patient with hearing impairment can choose the right product for hearing loss treatment to make his/her life easier.
Let’s have a look at the technologies and products that can be used in a smart home.
#1 Cochlear Implants
This is one of the latest medical interventions for hearing loss treatment that replaces the normal hearing system with a new implant known as cochlear. The cochlear implant is the leading technology that is used for patients with moderate to profound disabilities of hearing conditions. In this technology, the implant can be directly controlled with your mobile device application.
This technology is the pioneer in the treatment of a higher level of hearing loss. This is a sound processor-based technology, which is capable of connecting with the Android as well as iPhone devices through mobile apps of the Cochlear implant. This technology also removes the irritation associated with hearing aids. It works very well for patients of all ages.
#2 Wireless Headphones for Television
This is a very useful gadget for hearing loss patients. It is a lightweight headphone that works awesome for listening to the TV, Hi-Fi, radio and other entertainment sounds. It has many sound controls that make your listening experience great. This device also offers many other functions to divert the sound to one ear that is good for your listening purpose. It has a sensitivity range of 50 meters or even more in some cases.
#3 Amplified Conversation Devices
Amplified conversation devices are available in different forms. The most commonly used is the pen-like device that you can hang around your neck to experience awesome listening. It is very useful at home as well as work. It offers you great support not only to live your life but also to enjoy it at the fullest. You can connect it with your mobile phone, TV, computer, MP3 and many other devices. The settings of the microphone adjust automatically as per the environment to provide you with the best listening experience.
#4 Alarm Clock
This alarm is specially designed for people with hearing impairment. This alarm supports vibration alarms, sound alarm up to 70+ dB level, and a flashlight. It is a lightweight alarm clock with a bigger digital display. You can also travel with this alarm to establish full control over your time and activities. It is a great alarm clock to make your home smarter.
#5 Sound Sensing Bracelet
This device is a great fit for deaf people. This device is designed to wear round the wrist. This device generates senses on your skin based on the sound it notices around. This device can help the patient to know about the incoming phone call at home and the ringing of a fire alarm. Thus, a person with hearing loss can benefit from this gadget hugely.
Use of Products for Deafness in Today’s Marketplace
Like the hearing impaired people, there is a wide range of gadgets and products for the deaf in the market today. According to the Hearing Review information, more than 4 million units are expected to be sold in the US alone by the end of 2019.
The main hearing products sold include:
- Sound amplification devices
- Sound sensor bracelets
- Alarms
- Sound to text converters
- Headphones
- Special telephone sets
- Mobile phone sets
- Bluetooth streamers
- Loop systems
- And others
Final Takeaway
The technology that can help patients with hearing issues is advancing rapidly and newer techniques are emerging in the marketplace. There are numerous wearable gadgets that are making impaired-hearing patients easier. Cochlear implant technology will change the technological landscape of hearing loss treatment in the near future.
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