I’ve had a big change in my life recently—one that took me a bit by surprise. I got hearing aids. Let me start out by saying I’m WAY TOO YOUNG to need hearing aids. But here we are, right? Truth be told, I had noticed some difficulty hearing things this past year. It became really apparent when I went to a conference and struggled to hear the speakers. So, not long after that off to the ENT doctor I went and got tested. I don’t like the word “profound” but that’s what he used when describing the level of my hearing loss. Sigh.
I decided to be optimistic about this change, and I’m glad I did. I actually love my new hearing aids. I have a good friend who talks very soft, and I used to miss about a third of what she said. No more. I hear every word! And who knew my favorite pair of shoes squeaked when I walk? Or that the neighbor’s dog barks all day (okay, maybe this isn’t a good thing). I told my husband, I can now hear the sun shine and grass grow.
This got me wondering a little about how people throughout history dealt with hearing loss. I mean, these devices I’m currently wearing are so technologically advanced, I think they could transmit a message into outer space while tracking a bald eagle in the Colorado Rockies (only slight exaggeration – ha, ha). So, I did a little research.
The first recorded use of hearing aids, which may date back as far as Egyptian times, were called ear trumpets. They were pretty much what you’d imagine them to be—a horned shaped object, small on one end and large on the other. Most were constructed of wood, hollowed out animal horns, and in later years, brass. During the old west, hollowed out buffalo horns were often used. These ear trumpets didn’t work all that well, amplifying sounds only directly in front of the user and then to a small degree. They functioned best when someone spoke directly into the ear trumpet at close range.
The interesting part, however, was how clever ear trumpets became in their design. No one likes admitting to having a hearing loss, so inventors created some pretty cool ways to make hearing aids less conspicuous and a true fashion statement. They hid the devices in wardrobe accessories like ladies’ fans and headpieces and men’s canes. In the home, hearing aids could be hidden in vases. King John IV of Portugal had a throne designed for him with ornately carved lion heads on the arms. The lions’ open mouths transmitted sound to the back of the throne and into the king’s ear via a speaking tube.
In 1898, the first electric hearing aid, called an Akouphone, was invented. As you can imagine, it was huge and bulky and not very portable. But then in the early 1900s, carbon hearing aids came into being, using similar technology to early microphones and telephones. While they amplified sound, they weren’t all that effective. In the 1920s, vacuum hearing aids came along, an advancement that allowed the size to be greatly reduced. One of the biggest jumps came after WWII with the invention of transistors–which reduced the size of hearing aids even more. For a while, there were even hearing aids built into eyeglasses, though these were awkward to wear and didn’t last long.
In the early 1960s, some smart person came up with the first behind the ear hearing aids – a style still in use today by 70% of people who wear hearing aids. But everything changed around 1995 with fully digital versions hit the market. Rather than simply amplifying sound, the user could now differentiate between low, mid, and high frequencies and adjust the hearing aid to their surrounding.
Interesting, huh? You know what I like best about my new hearing aids, besides the improvement to my hearing? They are connected to my phone, and I can listen to audio books without earbuds or headphones. Now that’s cool 🙂
Cathy McDavid has been penning Westerns for Harlequin since 2005. With over 55 titles in print and 1.6 million-plus books sold, Cathy is also a member of the prestigious Romance Writers of America’s Honor Roll. This “almost” Arizona native and mother of grown twins is married to her own real-life sweetheart. After leaving the corporate world seven years ago, she now spends her days penning stories about good looking cowboys riding the range, busting broncs, and sweeping gals off their feet — oops, no. Make that winning the hearts of feisty, independent women who give the cowboys a run for their money. It a tough job, but she’s willing to make the sacrifice.
I have hearing aids and I do love them. I read that hearing loss contributes to dementia as well.
Yes, Debra. I’ve heard that, too. As as someone whose mother had dementia, that’s really important to me.
How absolutely fascinating, Cathy! So interesting.
I fought needing hearing aids for years. There’s such a stigma – I believed – to being old or something. And then I went on a trip with family, and they commented how often I said – “What’s that?” LOL
So I told myself hearing aids were no different than “seeing aids” – and I’ve been wearing glasses and contacts since I was in 4th grade. I took the plunge and got the hearing aids, and like you, I have Bluetooth, which is pretty darn slick.
Fun blog!
I agree, Pam. I have glaucoma and fought for years to preserve my sight. Why wouldn’t I do the same for my hearing. And the hearing aids these days are so small, no one really notices them.
awesome for you I suffer with tinnitus after working in a factory and running an air powered machine!
I’m told, Teresa, that hearing aids can help with that. We’ll see 🙂 I just love hearing the birds chirping in my backyard now.
I love hearing the birds sing
Me, too, Barbara 🙂
What interesting history! I’ve been thinking of looking into getting my dad some hearing aids. I’ve noticed he’s been having trouble hearing.
Is he stubborn about it? My husband refuses to get tested, and I think he hears worse than me!
I’m so glad you’re able to hear again. The history of them is fascinating.
Much more interesting than I thought it would be, Denise 🙂
Interesting story.
I thought so, too, Linda. Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Thanks for sharing this with us, very interesting!
Hi Rachel. I appreciate you stopping by and commenting!
Hi Rachel. I appreciate you the kind words. Have a great day!
Good morning, that is great that you got hearing aides. I enjoyed reading this post, it is very interesting , Thank you for sharing the info. Have a great day and a great weekend. I love cowboy romance books.
I love cowboy romances, too, Alicia. Thanks for stopping by and commenting 🙂
I hope your hearing aids are great. I don’t have them yet but according to my family I need them. lol My mother had hearing aids back in the 1980’s and she got very frustrated with them. They were fine when talking to someone one on one but were not good in a crowd. All the sounds just ran together and made it worse than without them, she said. My sister-in-law has the kind you have and she still has times when they are not the best. Good luck with yours.
Hearing aids have definitely come a long way. They aren’t perfect, but you can now make adjustments to them on your phone for different situations like crowds or concerts or movies. Way cool 🙂
My Mom had to have hearing aids before she passed; however, they didn’t work well for her! Her hearing was such that the hearing aids picked up all of the background noise, too, to pick up what she needed to hear. I have her first pair, as insurance against me needing to buy some! lol!! They’re the “over the ear” piece, so not made specifically for anyone. Her second pair was made to only fit her ear, so I didn’t keep those. The hearing aid place I took Mom does free hearing tests for anyone over 50 or 55, so I’ve had one, just to be sure I don’t need help, and hopefully they’ll still be in business if I do need some later on.
Hearing aids are definitely and adjustment and take time to get used to. I’m glad my insurance picked up half the cost of these. They can be expensive, too. But for me, well worth it!
Hi Trudy. I lost my first reply to you, so if two appear, that’s the reason 🙂 I was saying that I’m so glad my insurance paid for half the cost as hearing aids can be really expensive!
Trudy, I’ve tried three times to reply to you. Not sure why my comments won’t come through. I wanted to say I’m glad my insurance paid for a good portion of my hearing aids. They are so expensive!
Cathy,
Thanks for the history behind hearing aids. Like you and Pam, I’ve had to put my vanity aside and get hearing aides. I have tinnitus very badly in my right ear making it seem that I have a head full of water. And I never knew that my sneakers “squeak” or that tissues, toilet paper, and paper towels could sound so loud!!!!
Oh, Jo-Ann. I had to laugh when you said tissues and toilet paper. Now, when my husband sneezes, I think there’s been an explosion in the house – ha, ha, ha
I also have hearing aids with blue-tooth. One time my daughter was talking to her husband on my cell phone and the conversation kept reversing to my hearing aids and my daughter couldn’t hear her husband. Another time my pastor and his wife were eating out and suddenly she heard someone conversation in her ears (she had hearing aids with blue tooth.)
Ha, ha. Those are great stories, Kari Jean. I’m now thinking I could use them in a story 🙂
Very interesting! I am supposed to wear hearing aids, but don’t because they amplify so much background noise. Had them adjusted several times. I do enjoy wearing them when using my phone for conversation, music, and especially audiobooks.
I would love to know what kind you got because I need something different.
Hi Lynne. Mine are Widex brand. I’m still learning how to use them, but I understand there is a way to minimize background noise. I wore them once so far in a restaurant and didn’t have a problem 🙂
Thank you for the interesting post. It is always interesting to see how things have developed over time. I know my hearing is not as good as it was, but just haven’t been able to call and make the appointment. My husband wears them. Since his hearing was impacted by his job, insurance covers them. I know they are a bit expensive and that has been one reason I have not made an appointment. However, I am noticing it getting worse lately, so I may have to break down and go in.
Your husband is fortunate to have them covered. Insurance paid for half of mine, which is better than nothing. But I also feel they are worth it to hear better. Best wishes to you, Patricia, and thanks for stopping by and commenting 🙂