Hearing loss can occur at any stage throughout life and may be present from birth. As with the other senses hearing deteriorates with age and therefore some degree of hearing loss occurs during later life.

There are two forms of hearing loss, these are conductive and sensiorneural. Conductive hearing loss occurs between the outer and middle ear and leads to a loss of loudness. This can be overcome through medical and surgical means. For example a build up of wax may cause an individual to have difficulty in hearing. This would be overcome by the use of eardrops or syringing.

The other form of hearing loss is sensorineural. This occurs when there is damage to the cochlea in the inner ear. This can also lead to a loss of loudness as well as a distortion of sound. Therefore the individual, even if the are close to the source of the sound, will have difficulty in understanding the sound. This form of hearing loss cannot be cured in medical or surgical means and therefore a hearing aid or cochlea implant is required. (Cowan D)

Behind the ear hearing aids are worn behind the earlobe with a mould, which fits into the ear. There are a variety of models depending on the severity of the hearing loss. The NHS most commonly provides these.

A body worn hearing aid is worn either clipped to clothing or in a clothing pocket. These are connected to an earphone through a cord. The earphone fits into an ear mould, which fits in the ear. These hearing aids suit an individual with severe hearing loss, as they are very powerful.

There are various organisations where hearing aids are used to aid both the service user and the organisation. One of these is a speech therapy department. Speech therapists are concerned with the development of language and communication skills in children and in adults. Hearing aids are beneficial in the process of communication and therefore may be beneficial to this organisation.

There is a large variety in designs and strengths of hearing aids in order to meet individual needs.

Hearing aids are machines that amplify and clarify sound waves so that individuals can hear and understand sounds. The microphone in the hearing aid receives the sound waves and translates them into electrical impulses which the amplify makes stronger. The earphone translates the much stronger electrical impulses back into sound waves, which, by this stage louder and clearer. These sound waves then travel to the brain in the usual way. (www.rnid.org.uk)

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