‘Invisible’ hearing aid that fits inside the ear

Consider this: Three in 10 people over the age of 60, one in six in the age group of 41-59 and one in 14 in the age group of 29-40 are already suffering from hearing loss. Also, it is estimated that three in 1,000 infants are born with severe to profound hearing loss.

Today, every sixth person worldwide has hearing loss. By 2015, an estimated 1.1 billion will be affected with hearing loss of varying degrees. And the problem is definitely on rise.

“Hearing related problems are definitely on the rise and can be directly contributed to the new age lifestyle gadgets coupled with the ageing factor,” said G Krishnakumar, audiologist and clinic director, Rajan Speech and Hearing Centre.
The most common hearing related problem is age related followed by the noise induced hearing loss. “We also see a lot of children with varying degrees of hearing loss. But, with properly fitted hearing instruments, at least 90 per cent of those with hearing loss can improve their communication skills,” said Krishnakumar. However, sadly, the social stigma associated with hearing loss is quite high and puts off the patients in most of the cases.

However, Rajan Speech and Hearing Centre claims it has a solution. “If someone has been putting off getting help for the hearing problem because of being self-conscious then we have the invisible canal hearing aid that addresses this barrier. It is custom fit to the ear’s unique anatomy and fits inside the second bend of the ear canal. It is a small computer that our experts custom match to the specific hearing needs identified during the hearing assessment. Invisible-in-the-canal technology is suitable for 70 per cent of hearing loss sufferers,” Krishnakumar said.
The other hearing aids (BTE, ITC or CIC) sit behind the ear or in the visible part of your ear canal, he added.

The latest technology for hearing solution known as Oticon Intiga is the world’s smallest hearing solution available so far. Now the technology is available in Bangalore, in vibrant colours at Rajan’s Speech and Hearing Centre.

resource : http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_invisible-hearing-aid-that-fits-inside-the-ear_1637742