Hearing aid technology is rapidly evolving and scientists are always looking for ways to improve user experience. One unique way they might be able to do this is by looking at spiders and flies.
Background Noise and Hearing Aids
You might be wondering how insects could possibly help anyone hear better. The answer is that they may hold the key to solving a common problem of hearing aid users: Understanding speech when there’s background noise.
Hearing aids improve your ability to hear in all places. However, it can still be a struggle to focus on certain voices when there is a lot of background noise. Think about the difference between chatting with your spouse when it’s just the two of you at home versus being out somewhere like Soleluna Café.
Spider Silk for Better Hearing
Studies have shown that spider silk may be an ideal material to create better directional microphones in hearing aids. This could help you hear better in situations where there are multiple speakers in a loud environment, such as:
- Large work meetings or conferences
- Busy restaurants or bars
- Large parties or family get-togethers
Flies May Offer Insight into Directional Hearing
Meanwhile, at the University of Toronto, researchers are studying the unique hearing ability of a small fly known as Ormia ochracea. These flies have extremely accurate directional hearing which seems to stem from their unique ears.
Most animals have two separate ears. However, Ormia’s eardrums are connected together. When one eardrum vibrates from a sound, the vibration extends to the other ear. Because of the speedy activation of both ears, the fly can quickly figure out which direction the sound is coming from.
Engineers hope to model sensors off of Ormia’s eardrum mechanism that would improve hearing aids’ ability to localize sound.
Enjoy the Benefits of Hearing Aids Now
While these potential new developments are exciting, the technology is nowhere near being readily available. The good news is that today’s hearing aids already offer an array of benefits that include:
- Improved ability to comprehend speech and other sounds
- Lower risk of cognitive decline
- Improved physical and mental health
- Increased confidence when communicating with others
- Stronger social connections
If you are experiencing hearing loss or have any concerns about your hearing ability, contact San Diego Hearing Center today and schedule an appointment.