Hearing aids and cochlear implants are similar in that they’re both treatment options for sensorineural hearing loss. This type of hearing loss is caused by damage to the sensory hair cells that convert soundwaves into electrical energy that the brain interprets as sound. While both these devices treat this type of hearing loss, there are many differences between them, which we review below.
Hearing Aids
Hearing aids are electronic devices that work by amplifying sounds to a volume the wearer can detect. Depending on the type, they may be worn in or on the ear. Common types of hearing aids include:
- Behind-the-ear (BTE)
- Receiver-in-the-ear (RITE)
- Receiver-in-canal (RIC)
- In-the-ear (ITE)
- In-the-canal (ITC)
- Completely-in-canal (CIC)
- Invisible-in-canal (IIC)
Today’s hearing aids boast amazing features that can help you hear better with style in complex listening situations like at Common Block, including:
- Discreet designs
- Rechargeability
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Smartphone compatibility
- Directional microphones
- Telecoils
- Machine learning
- Automatic programming
- And more!
To be a candidate for hearing aids, you should still have some degree of hearing ability. These devices are typically prescribed for people with mild to severe hearing loss following a comprehensive hearing evaluation.
Cochlear Implants
Cochlear implants are complex surgically-implanted medical devices that work by bypassing the damaged part of the ear and directly stimulating the auditory nerve. According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, “As of December 2019, approximately 736,900 registered devices have been implanted worldwide.”
There are three parts of a cochlear implant:
- The external component houses a microphone, speech processor and transmitter.
- The internal component contains a receiver and electrode array.
- A powerful magnet couples the two components.
The Mayo Clinic reports that, “To be eligible for a cochlear implant, you must have:
- Hearing loss that interrupts spoken communication.
- Limited benefit from hearing aids as determined by specialized hearing tests.
- Motivation to participate in hearing rehabilitation and be part of the hearing world.
- Realistic expectations of what cochlear implants can and can’t do for hearing.”
To learn more or to schedule an appointment with a hearing expert, call Oregon Ear, Nose & Throat Center today.