1. HEARING AIDS REID COULOMBE

2. HEARING AIDS  Hearing Aids are used to amplify sound, and improve the hearing of an impaired listener.  It is estimated that 1 in every 10 people in the world suffer from some form of hearing loss.  Hearing loss is caused by damaged cochlea in the ear, or in some cases earwax, fluid in the ear, a genetic problem, or a punctured eardrum.

3. HISTORY  (1800) First Hearing Aid company was established. Manufactured many types (trumpet ear)  (1947) The transistor is invented, making hearing aids much smaller, and more energy efficient.  (1996) Hearing aids become 100% digital

4. FUTURE OF HEARING AIDS Improved sound quality Improved settings and user customization Smaller hearing aids Ability to fix damaged ears?

5. SOURCES Discovery Health. Web. 25 Mar. 2012..health.howstuffworks.com brent.edwards.name/Papers/Future_of_Digital_Hearing_Aids.pdf (book)brent.edwards.name "History of Hearing Aids." Hwt.homestead.com/Hearing_Aid_History.pdf. Homsetead.com. Web. “Designing of a digital behind-the-ear hearing aid to meet the world health organization requirements” (2010) Trends in Amplification, 14 (2), pp. 64-72. "Advantages & Disadvantages: Hearing Aids vs. Cochlear Implants ForThose with Severe Hearing Loss." Auditory Verbal Training, Workshops, Consultations and Mentoring. Web. 15 Apr. 2012..