Groundbreaking hearing aid launched

Researchers say the self-managed device can regulate to different backgrounds - and costs less than conventional hearing aids.

Tim Thwaites' story of early-stage hearing loss is familiar and frustrating.

The 58-year old thought he had a problem, but he ignored the signals and paid the price.

"I was having to ask my family to repeat things the television volume was going up and up and it's annoying for the family as well", Thwaites said.

Tim is one of two hundred Australians trialling the self-managed hearing aids. They're linked to a computer, allowing the wearer to adjust the audio settings.

The computer plays sounds to the patient who then adjusts those sounds to the level he or she is comfortable with.

The hearing aids can also be altered depending upon the level of ambient or background noise, and they they record and store a variety of settings the wearer most commonly uses.

As Thwaites says "you might be working in a panel beating shop where there are a different range of sounds from your home environment.

Professor Peter Blamey co-invented the aid using technology from the bionic ear and cochlear implant - and says it has the potential to assist up to 90-per cent of hearing impaired Australians.

"It takes the barriers away that usually prevent Australians from using a hearing aid", Blamey says.

Amongst those barriers is often the cost.

Conventional aids can cost up to $10,000 dollars, but the self-managed device will retail on-line for less than half of that.

There's also a potential saving on specialist consultations, although users unable to navigate the computer program may need further IT assistance.

Life is far better for Tim Thwaites now. The TV volume is consistent, and most of all the family is happy.

"It's also introduced me back to a whole lot of sounds that I didnt know I was missing", Thwaites says.

The self managed hearing aids took twelve years to develop.