1550 The theory of bone conduction through teeth was developed by Girolamo Cardano.
1558 Giovanni Batista Porta described some of the earliest hearing aids in his book Natural Magick. They are shaped like the ears of animals known for their acute hearing abilities.
1724 A postmaster from Versailles, hoping to cure his own deafness, discovered Eustachian Tube Catheterization.
1878 Emil Berthold first described the surgical repair of a perforated tympanic membrane, which eventually became known as Myringoplasty.
1898 The first commercial hearing aid is introduced in America by The Dictograph Company.
1912 F.H. Quix developed a procedure known as Translabrynthine Labrynthectomy, an early treatment for hearing loss.
1938 Julius Lempert published the first results of his Fenestration operation to treat Otosclerosis.
1952 The first transistor hearing aids are developed. These were hybrid systems with both vacuum tubes and transistors being employed.
1953 The Zeiss Optical Company introduced the first microscope specially designed for Otologic surgery.
1961 Neurosurgeon John Doyle Jr. and Otologist William House performed the first microsurgical acoustic neuroma surgery using an operating microscope.
1984 The United States Food and Drug Administration approved the first cochlear implants for marketing to adults.
1990 The cochlear implants are approved for use in children by the United States Food and Drug Administration.
Since the late 1990's, many more advances have been made in hearing aid technology. There are now many companies that offer highly advanced digital hearing aids. The technology has become refined to the point where hearing aids are now contained completely within the ear canal, and are programmed according to the needs of the individual user. These developments have given the gift of hearing to a generation of people. Let us be ever mindful of the pioneers of this important work, as their learning afforded many people the opportunity to listen.
Jason Mills is a testament to the power of positive thinking. Although he was born with a hearing disability, Jason has never allowed that to get in the way of living life. When he is not out enjoying the great outdoors, he writes freelance articles for websites such as hearingaids101.com a resource for those interested in learning more about hearing aids featuring information on Solutions for Coping with Hearing Loss, Hearing Aid Devices, Digital Hearing Aids and more.