Cochlear Implant or Hearing Aid – Which is Better?

When a person is experiencing hearing loss, it affects their life, relationships, and work. Conversations can become difficult to understand and follow, words and sounds can seem muffled, and listening to phone calls, music or television can become exhausting. 

While the most common solution for the problem of hearing loss is the hearing aid, some individuals may require cochlear implants to help them hear better. 

What Exactly Is Hearing Loss?

Hearing loss occurs when a part or more of the ear - the eardrum, hearing bones, cochlea, hearing nerve, and/or the brain encounter problems. Exposure to very high noise levels, genetics, excessive earwax, and aging may cause either temporary or chronic loss of hearing. The degree of hearing loss and its type can vary from one person to another.

The common types of hearing loss are:

  • Conductive – when sounds are unable to travel from the outer and middle ear to the inner ear

  • Sensorineural – when the hearing nerve or inner ear structures have been damaged or weakened

  • Mixed – features both conductive and sensorineural indicators

  • ANSD (Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder) – when the hearing nerve and the brain are unable to process auditory signals properly

What Are Cochlear Implants?

Cochlear implants are medical devices that are very different from hearing aids. Instead of amplifying sounds, a cochlear implant directly stimulates the auditory nerve to provide a sense of sound.

A cochlear implant is not a cure for hearing loss. It cannot regain or recover a person’s sense of hearing. However, it does provide those with severe hearing loss the chance to perceive sound as it bypasses the damaged part of the ear. 

Cochlear implants, unlike hearing aids, require surgery for their implantation and are permanently attached. 

How are hearing aids different from Cochlear implants?

Hearing aids are different from cochlear implants. It can be taken off or removed when not in use. An implant is permanently attached and requires surgery under general anaesthesia. 

Which One is better?

Both hearing aids and cochlear implants are medical devices. The recommendation of which would be better able to help a person with their hearing loss lies with the doctor or audiologist after a thorough investigation of the level of hearing loss and what is causing it.

 

Location: New South Wales, Australia

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