Hearing Aids: Technological Advancements, Efficacy, and Impact on Hearing-Impaired Individuals

By Ahmed Salmi, student of the Master in Clinical Audiology and Hearing Therapy

Abstract

Some vital tools enable people with hearing impairments to have a much-improved ability to listen and, therefore, better quality lives. However, despite the great development of hearing aid technology with features like digital processing and AI, users are confronted with many problems regarding equipment performance, noise, comfort, and affordability. This thesis aims to investigate the efficacy of modern hearing aids, examining their impact on users’ psychological, social, and auditory experiences. The study uses surveys and interviews to gauge user satisfaction as well as the performance of the product in a cross-section of listeners in various contexts. Moreover, it discusses how new technologies like machine learning and adaptive sound processing solve existing issues. The study also measures the benefits of hearing aid use, the positive effect on mental health, social integration, and cost. Due to the analysis of the user’s response to the hearing aids, the study contributes to future improvements needed for the enhancement of hearing aids performance and their usefulness. The results will be useful for further work on designing more efficient, facilitating user improvements, and alerting healthcare providers to the latest trends in auditory rehabilitation.

Keywords: hearing aids, auditory rehabilitation, digital technology, user satisfaction, assistive devices, quality of life.

Download the full Research Work: Salmi, A. (2024). Hearing Aids: Technological Advancements, Efficacy, and Impact on Hearing-Impaired Individuals. SAERA