Hearing aids today are remarkable devices; they’re basically microcomputers, which are fitted to one’s ear in order to process sound. Hidden away somewhere in the vicinity of the auricular cavity, they’re nearly impossible to spot.

There’s no documented evidence of hearing aids being utilized in the pre-classical world, although there is much speculation that seashells or animal horns may have been used as a primitive way to amplify sound. The first proper hearing aid seems to have been developed by the ancient Egyptians, but that was more method than machine. The practice was known as ear candling or ear coning and it involved the lighting of a hollow candle at one end and inserting the other end into the ear. It was believed that by doing this, negative pressure was built up, which in turn drew out the wax or other impediment in the ear. Although modern medicine has since discredited this theory, there are a few clinics in the United States that offer this method of treatment. The ancient Romans, however, stuck to a far simpler method; they simply cupped a hand behind the ear!

The first great breakthrough in hearing aids would have to be the ear trumpet. Ear trumpets were in use in various forms throughout the Middle Ages right through to the early twentieth century. Big or small, made of bone, wood or metal, inserting the narrow end into the ear whilst angling the bowl outwards always resulted in some degree of improved hearing for the user. Medieval kings who suffered from hearing loss even had thrones built where the armrests were hollowed out. The end of the armrest was carved in the head of an animal with mouth open (usually a lion), with a discreet opening at the other end of the throne near the monarch’s ear.

It was with the advent of electricity that things changed drastically. The first battery-operated hearing aid hit the market in 1899 as a tabletop version; the contraption being placed on a table and the hearing impaired person seated next to it. Unfortunately, these early versions weren’t popular because of very poor battery life and extreme sound distortion. Only in 1948, with the invention of the transistor was the hearing aid – as we know it today – born. Size decreased and battery life increased, allowing the wearer to hear clearly for longer periods of time and to do it anywhere. Initially, such hearing aids were body-worn devices, the amplifying instrument being concealed in a jacket pocket with the only the earpiece (and wire attachment) visible. From there onwards, however, progress was swift and hearing aids were soon transformed into behind-the-ear types. These were improved into the in-ear devices we see today, with continuous improvements being made.

Sources: TheHistoryOf.net – Matt Jacks, About.com