by Ross Voorhees

Created on: May 08, 2009   Last Updated: May 15, 2009

Without a doubt, the ability to hear and see are two major factors in our quality of life. Hearing loss affects our ability to communicate, sense our surroundings, and enjoy many forms of entertainment. Likewise, our eyes are our windows to the world. Poor vision, and our reliance upon corrective devices, can limit physical activity, restrict our independence, and often place us in troublesome and even dangerous situations. For these reasons, the fields of audiology (hearing) and ophthalmology (vision) are always at the forefront of technological advancement and treatment, and it should come as no surprise that the rapid developments in computer science, technology, and electronics have had a tremendous impact in the way we treat poor vision and hearing loss.

Auditory Advancements

For decades, the traditional method of treating diminished hearing was to simply make sounds louder. Early hearing aids were nothing more than small amplifiers. They worked as well as could be expected, but they were unsightly, bulky devices that needed constant adjustments by the wearer, and were often so problematic that it was not uncommon for some users to abandon them altogether.

Miniaturization

Today's hearing aids take full advantage of miniaturization, making hearing aids nearly invisible and more comfortable. All modern aids now utilize microchips with advanced computer programming. In fact, it is now quite common to find companies that offer custom-made hearing aids tailored to a patient's specific needs. A person's "hearing map" is measured using computer assisted auditory testing. By measuring the response of the eardrum, the audiologist can determine the exact range of frequencies a patient is having difficulty hearing. This information is then provided to the manufacturer, who then customizes the hearing aid.

Digital Signal Processing

Technological advances also allow sounds to be processed instantaneously through digitization. Digitization converts sound to data. Data can then be filtered, altered, or have complex algorithms applied to it before it is converted back to sound again. For example, a patient trying to converse with another person on a busy street will have difficulty hearing that person because of background noise. By processing the sound digitally, the background noise can be reduced while the voice is enhanced, resulting in improved clarity.

Physiology and Brain Function

Correction of hearing loss caused by inefficiencies in the structure of the

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