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1. Hearing Aids..... ( Part 01 ).
2. Types and Styles of Hearing Aids.....( Part 02 ).

Types and Styles of Hearing Aids.....( Part 02 ).

Different Types of Hearing Aids.

Hearing aids are most effective at assisting mild, moderate or severe hearing loss caused by limitations in the transmission of sound through the eardrum and middle ear hearing bones (known as a conductive hearing loss) or reduced function of inner ear sensory cells called outer hair cells (known as a sensory hearing loss or Sensorineural Hearing Loss).

Hearing aids although usually useful are typically not as effective as Cochlear Implants (👈Click to go) for assisting very severe or profound hearing losses. Hearing aids can also provide some benefit for hearing problems caused by damage to the hearing nerve or brain.

All digital hearing aids contain at least one microphone to pick up sound, a computer chip that amplifies and processes sound, a speaker that sends the signal to the ear and a battery for power. These components are the “guts” of the hearing aid, and they are packaged into several different styles of hearing aids. When you consult with a hearing care professional, they will consider many factors, provide you with proper hearing aid information and help guide you toward the best hearing aid style for you.

Functional wise, there are two main types of hearing aids:

Ø  Analog hearing aids, convert sound waves into electrical signals and then make them louder. They’re usually less expensive and have simple volume controls.

An Analog Hearing Aid. 

Ø  Digital hearing aids, convert sound waves into numerical codes similar to computer codes and then amplify them. The code includes information about the direction of a sound and its pitch or volume. That makes it easier to adjust the sound to what you need, whether you’re in a restaurant, a quiet room, or a stadium. Most will adjust automatically. Although this type costs more than an analog hearing aid, the results are much better. They’re also smaller and more powerful.

Analog Hearing Aid (Left) Vs digital Hearing Aid (Right).

By Style wise (Physical appearance), hearing aids can also be classified into two main groups which include different sizes:

       I.            In-the-ear (ITE) styles

    II.            Behind-the-ear (BTE) styles.

In-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids fit completely inside the outer ear and are used for mild to severe hearing loss. The case holding the electronic components is made of hard plastic. Some ITE aids may have certain added features installed, such as a telecoil. 

A telecoil is a small magnetic coil that allows users to receive sound through the circuitry of the hearing aid, rather than through its microphone. This makes it easier to hear conversations over the telephone. A telecoil also helps people hear in public facilities that have installed special sound systems, called induction loop systems. Induction loop systems can be found in many churches, schools, airports, and auditoriums.

Induction Loop System.

ITE aids usually are not worn by young children because the casings need to be replaced often as the ear grows. The following hearing aid types are considered ITE styles. Their sizes range from virtually invisible when worn to filling the entire bowl of the ear.

1.      Invisible-in-the-canal (IIC) and completely-in-the-canal (CIC) hearing aids:

IIC Vs CIC.

IIC and CIC styles are the tiniest hearing aids made. They fit very deeply in the ear canal and are typically fit to help correct mild or moderate hearing losses. Their size and ability to “disappear” when worn depend on the size of the ear canal. Because of their tiny size, they offer high cosmetic appeal for people who desire a discreet solution.

2.      In-the-canal (ITC) hearing aids:

ITC Hearing Aid.

ITC styles sit in the lower portion of the outer ear bowl, making them comfortable and easy to use. Because they are slightly larger than IIC and CIC styles, they have a longer battery life, are easier to handle and can fit a wider range of hearing losses.

3.      Low profile hearing aids:

Low profile styles range from half-shell (HS) designs that fill half the bowl of the outer ear to designs that fill almost the entire outer ear bowl. The size of a low profile style makes it desirable for people with dexterity issues because it is easier to handle than the smaller sizes. Low profile hearing aids are large enough to accommodate helpful features like directional microphones, volume controls and program buttons.

Different Types of Low Profile Hearing Aids.

Behind-the-ear styles have enjoyed resurgence in popularity over the last decade thanks in part to innovations that make the tiniest BTE hearing aids some of the most cosmetically appealing with very thin ear tubes and ear tips that fade discreetly into the ear canal. They have enough physical space to house features for a variety of hearing losses, have ample battery life and are easy to handle.

BTE hearing aids consist of a hard plastic case worn behind the ear and connected to a plastic earmold that fits inside the outer ear. The electronic parts are held in the case behind the ear. Sound travels from the hearing aid through the earmold and into the ear. BTE aids are used by people of all ages for mild to profound hearing loss.

a.       BTE open-fit hearing aid:

BTE Open Fit Hearing Aid.

Small, open-fit aids fit behind the ear completely, with only a narrow tube inserted into the ear canal, enabling the canal to remain open. For this reason, open-fit hearing aids may be a good choice for people who experience a buildup of earwax, since this type of aid is less likely to be damaged by such substances. In addition, some people may prefer the open-fit hearing aid because their perception of their voice does not sound “plugged up.”

b.      Mini BTE hearing aids with slim tubes and tips:

BTE Vs Mini BTE.

Mini BTE styles are designed to hide behind the outer ear and have ultra-thin tubing to discreetly route sound into the ear. This style is so popular that a greater variety of ear tips have become available in order to accommodate a greater degree of hearing loss with the mini BTE.

c.       Receiver-in-the-ear (RITE) or receiver-in-canal (RIC) hearing aids:

RIC Hearing Aid.

RITE and RIC styles have the speaker built into the ear tip instead of the main body of the hearing aid. This allows the speaker of the hearing aid to be positioned closer to the eardrum while the microphone and processor sit in a tiny case behind the ear.

d.      BTE hearing aids with ear molds:

BTE Hearing Aid with Ear Mold.

BTE styles that come with ear molds can fit any type of hearing loss, from mild to profound. Their longer shape follows the contour behind the outer ear and can generally house more features, controls and power than any other style of hearing aid.

Adjusting to the Hearing Aid:

Components of a BTE Hearing Aid.

Hearing aids take time and patience to use successfully. Wearing your aids regularly will help you adjust to them.

Become familiar with your hearing aid’s features. With your audiologist present, practice putting in and taking out the aid, cleaning it, identifying right and left aids, and replacing the batteries. Ask how to test it in listening environments where you have problems with hearing. Learn to adjust the aid’s volume and to program it for sounds that are too loud or too soft. Work with your audiologist until you are comfortable and satisfied.

You may experience some of the following problems as you adjust to wearing your new aid:

Ø  My hearing aid feels uncomfortable:

Some individuals may find a hearing aid to be slightly uncomfortable at first. Ask your audiologist how long you should wear your hearing aid while you are adjusting to it.

Ø  My voice sounds too loud:

The “plugged-up” sensation that causes a hearing aid user’s voice to sound louder inside the head is called the occlusion effect, and it is very common for new hearing aid users. Check with your audiologist to see if a correction is possible. Most individuals get used to this effect over time.

Ø  I get feedback from my hearing aid:

A whistling sound can be caused by a hearing aid that does not fit or work well or is clogged by earwax or fluid. See your audiologist for adjustments.

Ø  I hear background noise:

A hearing aid does not completely separate the sounds you want to hear from the ones you do not want to hear. Sometimes, however, the hearing aid may need to be adjusted. Talk with your audiologist.

Ø  I hear a buzzing sound when I use my cell phone:

Some people who wear hearing aids or have implanted hearing devices experience problems with the radio frequency interference caused by digital cell phones. Both hearing aids and cell phones are improving, however, so these problems are occurring less often. When you are being fitted for a new hearing aid, take your cell phone with you to see if it will work well with the aid.

Taking care of the Hearing Aid:

Proper maintenance and care will extend the life of the hearing aid. Make it a habit to:

v  Keep hearing aids away from heat and moisture.

v  Clean hearing aids as instructed. Earwax and ear drainage can damage a hearing aid.

v  Avoid using hairspray or other hair care products while wearing hearing aids.

v  Turn off hearing aids when they are not in use.

v  Replace dead batteries immediately.

v  Keep replacement batteries and small aids away from children and pets.

Available New Types of Hearing Aids:

Although they work differently than the hearing aids described above, implantable hearing aids are designed to help increase the transmission of sound vibrations entering the inner ear.

A.    A middle ear implant (MEI) is a small device attached to one of the bones of the middle ear. Rather than amplifying the sound traveling to the eardrum, an MEI moves these bones directly. Both techniques have the net result of strengthening sound vibrations entering the inner ear so that they can be detected by individuals with sensorineural hearing loss.

Middle Ear Implant.

B.     A bone-anchored hearing aid (BAHA) is a small device that attaches to the bone behind the ear. The device transmits sound vibrations directly to the inner ear through the skull, bypassing the middle ear. BAHAs are generally used by individuals with middle ear problems or deafness in one ear. Because surgery is required to implant either of these devices, many hearing specialists feel that the benefits may not outweigh the risks.

BAHA Auditory Implant.

BAHA Mechanism.

                                         Click Here to Read the Part 01 of Hearing Aids..........

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References:

·         Healthy Hearing. 2018. Considering hearing aids? What you need to know about hearing devices. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.healthyhearing.com/help/hearing-aids. [Accessed 20 June 2018].

·         Hearing aids - NHS.UK . 2018. Hearing aids - NHS.UK . [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/hearing-aids/. [Accessed 20 June 2018].

·         Hearing Link. 2018. What is a hearing aid? - Hearing Link. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.hearinglink.org/your-hearing/what-is-a-hearing-aid/. [Accessed 21 June 2018].

·         NIDCD. 2018. Hearing Aids | NIDCD. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing-aids. [Accessed 20 June 2018].

·         Tell me about hearing aids . 2018. Tell me about hearing aids . [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.audiology.org.nz/about-hearing-aids.aspx. [Accessed 20 June 2018].

·         Types of Hearing Aids - Find the Right Hearing Aid for You. 2018. Types of Hearing Aids - Find the Right Hearing Aid for You. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.starkey.com/hearing-aids. [Accessed 21 June 2018].

·         WebMD. 2018. Hearing Aids: The Different Types & How They Work. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/hearing-aids#1. [Accessed 21 June 2018].

Hearing Aids.....( Part 01 )

Introduction:

A Woman Wearing a Hearing Aid.

Hearing loss can have a big impact on our daily life, from our work to our relationships and emotional well-being. Hearing aids can make a big difference, especially if we pick the right ones and get help adjusting to them.

A hearing aid is a small, wearable, electronic device that can be worn in or behind the ear. It makes some sounds louder so that a person with hearing loss can listen, communicate, and participate more fully in daily activities. A hearing aid can help people hear more in both quiet and noisy situations.

Different Types of Hearing Aids.

Benefits of Hearing Aid:

Hearing aids won't make the hearing perfect, but they make sounds louder and clearer, reducing the impact hearing loss has on our life. Research on people with hearing loss and their significant others has shown that hearing aids play a significant factor in a person's social, emotional, psychological and physical well-being. More specifically, treatment of hearing loss has been shown to improve:

·         Communication in relationships

·         Intimacy and warmth in family relationships

·         Ease in communication

·         Earning power

·         Sense of control over your life

·         Social participation

·         Emotional stability

Problems in Hearing:

Hearing aids are designed to compensate for hearing loss caused by parts of the hearing system that are not working effectively. Deficits may affect all sounds or be limited to specific sounds. 

Anatomy of the Ear Hair Cells.

Hearing aids are primarily useful in improving the hearing and speech comprehension of people who have hearing loss that results from damage to the small sensory cells in the inner ear, called hair cells. This type of hearing loss is called sensorineural hearing loss. 

Sensorineural Hearing Loss.

The damage can occur as a result of:

Ø  Disease

Ø  Aging

Ø  Injury from loud noise

Ø  Certain medicines.

Hearing loss that’s due to problems with the ear canal, eardrum, or middle ear is called conductive hearing loss. Most of the time, surgery or other medical help can make it better. But those options aren’t right for everyone. If you have an open ear canal and a relatively normal external ear, a hearing aid may help.

Some people are born without an external ear or ear canal, which means they can’t use a typical hearing aid. Instead, they may be able to use a device that sends sound to the inner ear through the bone of their skull.

Conductive Hearing Loss & Sensorineural Hearing Loss.

A hearing aid magnifies sound vibrations entering the ear. Surviving hair cells detect the larger vibrations and convert them into neural signals that are passed along to the brain. The greater the damage to a person’s hair cells, the more severe the hearing loss, and the greater the hearing aid amplification needed to make up the difference. However, there are practical limits to the amount of amplification a hearing aid can provide. In addition, if the inner ear is too damaged, even large vibrations will not be converted into neural signals. In this situation, a hearing aid would be ineffective.

Working Principle:

Fundamentally, a hearing aid has three basic parts: a microphone, amplifier, and speaker.

·   Firstly, sound is taken in through a miniature microphone where the sound is converted into an electronic, digital signal.

·    Secondly, the signal is processed, boosted (amplified) and modified to meet the needs of the user’s hearing loss by a chip - processor.

·     Finally, a receiver (miniature loudspeaker) sends the processed sound through the type of ear fitting appropriate for the hearing aid system. 

Note: -

v  The audiology professional who tests the hearing, will discuss whether and what type of hearing aids would help based not only on the hearing loss but also on the lifestyle needs. Importantly, if the hearing loss in both ears as most people do, it should be expected to use two hearing aids; one hearing aid is almost always inadequate.

v  An otolaryngologist is a physician who specializes in ear, nose, and throat disorders and will investigate the cause of the hearing loss. An audiologist is a hearing health professional who identifies and measures hearing loss and will perform a hearing test to assess the type and degree of loss.

v  It takes time to get used to new hearing aids, and you will probably need to have your hearing professional fine-tune them once or more after you’ve had some experience with them. It’s quite normal for changes to be made after fitting as everyone is an individual and usually benefits from hearing aids being as personalized as possible.

v  All digital hearing aids have different settings for different environments, like in a group, one-to-one conversation, in a quiet room or in noisier places. Make sure that your audiologist explains all your options when they fit your hearing aids. Always remember that they are your hearing aids, programmed to meet your individual needs.

v  Most hearing aids have a ‘T’ (telecoil) programme for use with a hearing loop found in very many public places where you see the hearing loop sign. A telecoil is a small coil inside the hearing aids. The coil works as a small receiver which picks up signals from a loop system that acts as an electromagnetic field. Hearing aids with an activated telecoil can convert this electromagnetic field into a sound signal.

Telecoil Symbol.

Location of  the Telecoil in a Hearing Aid.

v  Make sure that you ask your audiologist if your hearing aids can be programmed so that the ‘T’ setting is activated. This will mean you can use them with hearing loops in public places and with ‘hearing aid compatible’ landline phones.

v  If your hearing aids don’t have a ‘T’ setting, ask about the best setting for telephone use. For mobile phones, you should ask how your mobile phone can connect wirelessly to your hearing aids as you can with many modern hearing aids.


                 Click Here to Read about the Types and Styles of Hearing Aids in Part 02 ..........

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Clinical Engineering.

Introduction:

Clinical Engineering is a branch of Biomedical Engineering for professionals responsible for the management of medical equipment in a hospital. 

This is a diverse profession covering many areas of health care.

A typical Biomedical Engineering Department in the hospital does the corrective and preventive maintenance on the medical devices used by the hospital, except for those covered by a warranty or maintenance agreement with an external company. 

Role of a Clinical Engineer:

• A Clinical Engineer is a professional who supports and advances patient care by applying engineering and managerial skills to healthcare technology. 

• They in turn work with medical, nursing, and paramedical staff to ensure that the care delivered through the application of technology is optimized.

• In a hospital setting the Clinical Engineer often functions as the technology manager for medical equipment systems. 

• As clinical medicine has become increasingly dependent on more sophisticated technologies and the complex equipment associated with it, the clinical engineer has become the bridge between modern medicine and engineering.

Duties of a Clinical Engineer?

• Biomedical clinical engineers work with various medical professionals and scientists in order to develop new innovations in health care, such as diagnostic equipment and drug therapies.

• The responsibilities in this setting include financial or budgetary management, service contract management, data processing systems for managing the medical equipment, and coordination of service agreements and in-house operations. 

• The hospital-based clinical engineer may also have responsibility for supervision of the in-house maintenance staff, depending on his or her skill set and the structure of the department. 

• Hospital-based clinical engineers also fill other important functions in assuring that the medical equipment is safe and effective.

• Roles of clinical engineers include training and supervising biomedical equipment technicians (BMETs), working with governmental regulators on hospital inspections/audits, and serving as technological consultants for other hospital staff (e.g. physicians, administrators, and I.T).

            Please Watch Our Clinical Engineering Video from Our YouTube Channel Below:-

Article Prepared By:-

👉 Gaston Ravin Dias 

Biomedical Engineering in Sri Lanka.

Introduction:

Biomedical Engineering is a field that has gained much attention over the last few years. Although technically, the field is several centuries old, the formal recognition of biomedical engineering as an engineering discipline is substantially novel. Biomedical Engineering is the application of engineering knowledge to solve challenges in medicine and biology. Since the scope of the field is fairly application oriented, the theoretical knowledge requirement is considerably vast. A biomedical engineer is required to possess a thorough working knowledge in fields such as electronic, computer and telecommunication engineering, signal processing, image processing and systems design among many others. Besides engineering, a substantial knowledge in biology and medicine is also crucial for the success of a biomedical engineer’s career.

Biomedical engineers are globally in very high demand and the working environments vary across a large spectrum. Engineers who are employed by hospitals will have the responsibility of managing complicated equipment, ensuring patient as well as staff safety. The fact that most biomedical equipment, if used incorrectly can result in dire consequences makes this task crucial in many aspects. The budding industry of biomedical engineering in Sri Lanka currently has limited potential for product development. The industry, at present, mainly focuses on installation and maintenance of biomedical equipment. However, it is expected that within a few years Sri-Lanka will catch up with the global trend in improved healthcare facilities, leading to a greater demand for related for goods and services, thus opening the opportunities for biomedical engineers and the enhancement of the local biomedical manufacturing industry.

In Sri Lanka, currently there are three institutes provide this multi-disciplinary engineering course.

1) University of Moratuwa:

Logo of University of Moratuwa.

It is one of the state universities in Sri Lanka, offering 4 academic years to complete the bachelor’s degree in this field.

The course is delivered in seven academic semesters and six months of industrial training. The academic semesters are designed to impart a strong theoretical foundation in the principles of Electronic and Telecommunication focusing on the science of engineering. As a graduation requirement, the students must complete a total of 150 credits within the time duration. These credits include 135 credits for GPA modules and 15 credits for Non GPA modules. Along with the experience gained during the industrial training time, the graduates carry out diverse engineering and management tasks in the industry with minimal further training.

Prerequisites:

In order to be eligible for admission to a course of study in engineering a candidate should have obtained at least ‘S’ Grades in each of the three subjects set out below

·         Chemistry

·         Combined Mathematics

·         Physics

The curriculum for this 4 year course can be obtained via this link:

http://www.ent.mrt.ac.lk/docs/curricula/BME_New_Curriculum_from_2013_Intake.pdf

Research is the corner stone of the sublime field of biomedical engineering. University of Moratuwa stepped into the research area of biomedical engineering decades before the introduction of the formal degree program. Many collaborative research partnerships were established with leading medical research bodies of Sri Lanka, resulting in the completion of important research, leading towards the development of novel or modified products. With the introduction of the degree program, students can expect such collaborations to thrive and product design and development to be taken to the next level.

2) General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU):

Logo of KDU.

It is a joint services academy where cadets of the three wings Sri Lanka Army, Sri Lanka Navy and Sri Lanka Air Force are trained before they go for their pre-commission training to their academies. KDU is a member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities (United Kingdom) and maintains necessary standards for educating and grooming Officer Cadets to meet the challenges of modern defence management.

KDU is open for civil students as well who wish to continue their higher studies in the fields of Engineering, Law, Management, Social Sciences and IT.

Officers with exceptional performance in reputed universities/institutions can pursue postgraduate studies in accordance with the requirements of the Service to which they belong. Civil professionals are also offered a place at postgraduate studies to excel in and study a post graduate degree in their related field of expertise.

The Faculty of Engineering, is the only national military educational Engineering Institution in Sri Lanka which was established in 2009. The faculty offers undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes in nine disciplines under six Departments

The Electrical Electronic & Telecommunication Engineering Department presently conducts three undergraduate degree programmers of BSc Engineering in Electrical & Electronic Engineering, BSc Engineering in Electronic & Telecommunication Engineering and BSc Engineering in Biomedical Engineering. All three programs have the same duration of four and half years.

The Kotelawala Defense University takes in approx 80 students each year for the Department of Electrical Electronic and Telecommunication, from students offering Physics, Chemistry and Combined Mathematics at the GCE (Advanced Level) Examination. These students follow a common intensive training programme of 04 months along with the students of all streams which consists of initial military training, computer orientation course and a comprehensive English course. Thereafter in the 1st semester students follow a common Engineering programme along with students of all Engineering disciplines. Apart from this, the students also follow subjects which are common to all undergraduate degree programmes offered by the university.

3) International College of Business and Technology (ICBT): 

ICBT Logo.

This is a private institute which offers this course at two levels.

a.   Higher National Diploma (HND) in Biomedical Engineering; which is a two year course for those who are fresher from school.

b.   BEng (Hons) in Biomedical Engineering; which can be done continuously as the 3^rd year (Final Year of the complete degree program), to those who 
      successfully pass the HND and this is collaborated 
      with Birmingham City University - UK.

The complete program structure for the HND course is given below:

First Semester

·         Engineering Mathematics

·         Information Technology and Programming Concepts

·         Project- Oriented Design Based Learning

·         Engineering Science

·         Introduction to Biomedical Engineering

·         Analog Electronics

Second Semester

·         Human Anatomy and Physiology

·         Engineering Drawing

·         Digital Electronics

·         Advanced Engineering Mathematics

·         Medical Instrumentation

Third Semester

·         Principles and Application of Microcontrollers

·         Signals and Systems

·         Medical Biochemistry

·         Microbiology and Immunology

·         Medical Physics

Fourth Semester

·         Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering

·         Pathology and Hematology

·         Hospital Management

·         Physics of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Radiology

·         Biomedical Signal Processing

Industrial Training (optional)

Entry Criteria:

G.C.E. Advanced Level Math, Technology, Bio Science

OR

O/L’s + ICBT Engineering Foundation

           

            Duration:

            2 Years

The Curriculum for the Final Year (3^rd Year) which provides the Bachelor’s Degree with Honors is Given Below:

·         Digital Signal and Image Processing (30 Credits)

·         Medical Devices (15 Credits)

·         Medical Science and Neuromechanics (15 Credits)

·         Biomechanics (15 Credits)

·         Biomaterials (15 Credits)

·         Final Biomedical Engineering Project (30 Credits)

Duration:

1 Year.

                             
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References:

• University of Moratuwa. 2017. Biomedical Engineering Group. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.ent.mrt.ac.lk/bme/index.php. [Accessed 10 September 2017]. 
• ICBT Campus. 2016. ICBT HND in Biomedical Engineering. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.icbt.lk/icbt/undergraduate. [Accessed 10 September 2017].
• ICBT Campus. 2016. BEng (Hons) Biomedical Engineering- Birmingham City University. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.icbt.lk/icbt/undergraduate. [Accessed 10 September 2017].