Hearing aids are the number one choice for the majority of people with hearing loss, but for those who have severe or profound hearing loss, cochlear implants may be a better option, especially if they are found not to benefit from hearing aids.
Cochlear implants are indicated for people with severe to profound hearing loss and of all ages, from newborns to seniors, when hearing aids no longer are beneficial.
In order to offer insight on what cochlear implants allow people to hear and how they differ from other forms of hearing devices, audiologist Katie Ogden in the U.K. explains the impressive technology and modern advancements that allow those with different types of hearing loss to gain a better quality of life.
For those unfamiliar with hearing loss, it is a common misconception that cochlear implants are just another form of a hearing aid. In fact hearing aids and cochlear implants each have varying purposes and are suitable for different individuals based on their specific diagnosis.
Both hearing aids and cochlear implants are recommended for those diagnosed with sensorineural hearing loss, meaning that damage has occurred within hair cells of their inner ear and/or the nerve pathways that connect the inner ear to the brain.
Ultimately, both cochlear implants and hearing aids work to help those with hearing loss to communicate better with the outside world and improve their everyday quality of life.
How Do Cochlear Implants Work?
Cochlear implants are small devices that are surgically implanted by a surgeon, most often by an ear, nose, and throat specialist, or an ENT, also known as an otolaryngologist. The implants stimulate the auditory nerve in order to create the sensation of sound.
There are two parts of the implant. The external element features a microphone, a speech processor, and a transmitter, while the internal element features a receiver and an electrode tray that is implanted in the inner ear.
Each of these elements are connected through the use of a strong magnet, and sounds collected from the mic and processor are sent to the receiver, which in turn converts them to electrical pulses that stimulate the auditory nerve and signals the brain to interpret the sound.
Following cochlear implant surgery, patients will need additional support and guidance from speech language experts and audiologists in order to understand and correctly interpret the signals they are being sent via the technology. Within three to six months of use, the vast majority of those fitted with cochlear implants are able to make considerable progress in communication and interpreting speech and sounds around them.
How Do Hearing Aids Work?
Hearing aids do not require any surgery prior to use, and are suited to those with less severe hearing loss and fair speech understanding. The devices—worn in the ear canal—are removable and are designed to amplify sound for those who experience mild to severe hearing loss.
A hearing aid is comprised of three main parts:
A microphone that will receive and convert sound waves into electrical signals
An amplifier that will intensity sounds around the wearer
A speaker that helps send the intensified sound into the hearing aid wearer’s ear
The technological updates found in modern, digital hearing aids are nothing short of astounding. Bluetooth wireless connectivity is a great example of how the medical industry has incorporated an industrial advancement and made it a core feature of improving people’s listening lives.
Thanks to miniaturized technology, discreet and almost invisible hearing aids are also now becoming more widely available for those with hearing loss. These devices fit inside the ear, rather than behind it, and are custom-made using a mold of the wearer’s ear.
Which Hearing Device Is Right for You?
If you believe a hearing aid or cochlear implant could improve your quality of life, be sure to seek out the advice of hearing care professional to discuss your needs.
Katie Ogden is an audiologist and training manager at hearing aid manufacturer ReSound. For more, please also see this recent article from Medical Xpress: “Q&A: What is the Benefit of Cochlear Implants Over Hearing Aids?”
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