An Experts View of Hearing Assistive Technology

New hearing technology has advanced exponentially in the past decades, bringing smaller and better hearing aids and other assistive devices.

Dr. Mark Ross, Professor Emeritus of Audiology at University of Connecticut, and a consultant with the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Hearing Enhancement – a national project focusing on research that promotes technological solutions for the hearing impaired has an experts insight into the new technologies.

He is a hearing aid user himself (and also has a cochlear implant) so he has both professional and personal experience in the field.

He praises such as innovations as miniaturization; better control of electroacoustic product of the hearing aid – output, frequency response, extended frequency range, multi-channels and bands; directional microphones, feedback and noise suppression devices, among others.

However, despite the progress made in the hearing assistive technology field, Dr. Ross says some of the so-called improvements are merely cosmetic, and their promise is oversold to the consumers.

He also points out that even though modern hearing aids are widely available, many people still resist being tested, or even admitting they have a hearing problem. He recommends establishing a trusting relationship with a licensed and certified audiologist, who will spend the necessary time discussing various hearing aid options, as well as other hearing-related issues of concern to consumers.

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