Hearing Aids Vs. Cochlear Implants: Understanding Hearing Loss Treatment Options

Hearing loss impacts all areas of your life, from participating in work meetings and enjoying family conversations to following the intricate dialogue in your favorite movie at the Ritz Five theater. Among the most common solutions for hearing loss are hearing aids and cochlear implants. Let’s take a look at both of these options and which might be best suited to your needs.

The Benefits of Hearing Aids

Woman looking at a few hearing aid options.

Hearing aids are small devices that amplify sound to meet the wearer’s specific hearing requirements. All hearing aids have a microphone to collect sound, an amplifier to raise its volume and a speaker to bring it to the ear. Key benefits of hearing aids include:

Customization. Hearing aids come in multiple styles (behind-the-ear, in-the-ear etc.), sizes (typically between 1.5 and 5 cm) and colors, allowing users to choose based on personal preference and hearing needs. For example, patients with profound hearing loss might opt for behind-the-ear models, while those with mild hearing loss have a wider selection of smaller, more discreet options.
Ease of use. Most users adapt to hearing aids within one to two weeks, making them a convenient option for many.
No surgery. Hearing aids do not require surgery and are designed to be removed every night.

The Benefits of Cochlear Implants

Cochlear implants use internal and external components to bypass damaged parts of the inner ear and stimulate the auditory nerve. The external components include a microphone to capture sound, a sound processor to convert the sound into digital signals and a transmitter to send the signals to an internal device. The internal components, placed under the skin behind the ear and inside the cochlea (the spiral-shaped organ in the inner ear), receive sound captured by the outer components and stimulate the auditory nerve.

The primary advantage of cochlear implants is their ability to directly stimulate the nonfunctioning part of the ear, enabling the user to understand sounds without relying on amplified hearing, as hearing aids do. This unique feature makes cochlear implants ideal for patients with profound inner ear hearing loss who do not benefit from even the most powerful hearing aids.

Weighing Your Options

Hearing loss affects nearly 20% of the global population. While choosing the right hearing loss treatment option may seem complicated, you’re not alone. Your audiologist will discuss your type and degree of hearing loss and recommend the best method. For example, if your hearing loss is mild, they will likely recommend hearing aids. If hearing aids cannot sufficiently help you, and you are a good candidate for surgery, they might recommend cochlear implants.

For more information and to schedule a consultation, contact Advanced ENT & Allergy today to speak to one of our trusted experts.