Hearing Instruments have been in use for over two hundred years. The devices that were first used to aid hearing are totally unrecognisable from the small high tech things we use today. Over time we've gone through non-electric hearing instruments, hearing instruments that were just too large to even carry around, lightweight hearing aids and nowadays there are devices that are so small they are virtually undetectable by the human eye.

The very first hearing devices were more like ear trumpets which were used to funnel sound directly into the ear. This simple device worked by amplifying sounds allowing the hearing to hear and understand them. These rather large horns were probably not the most comfortable of things to wear but as always if people really want to hear they will go to extraordinary lengths to help even if it makes them look ridiculous. Although if this type of device was at the cutting edge of technology at the time what choice would you have? To make it easier on the user, some of them were fitted to head straps for extra support.

Two major inventions allowed hearing aids to dramatically improve over the coming years. The availability of electricity combined with Alexander Graham Bell's invention of the telephone allowed hearing aids to become a little more technical. The basic technology of a portable, electric telephone receiver still provides the foundation of how hearing aids are made to this day.

The most obvious change to electronic hearing aids over time has been the size. Over years, technology has allowed hearing aids to go from extremely large and therefore very visible things to small discreet devices that are hardly noticeable at all. This is mainly down to the size of batteries, as the batteries have gotten smaller and more powerful as have the devices that used them.

With the quick advancement of technology there is no doubt that hearing aids will get even smaller. However until that time it is imperative that hearing aid providers also look into the best ways of fitting users with the current hearing aids available. The audiologist responsible for fitting a device must make it their mission to ensure users are correctly fitted with their hearing aids. Just as important as this is the after-care provided, hearing aid users must be confident that there is someone they can turn to should they experience any difficulties with their devices.