The World Health Organization (WHO) identifies hearing loss as one of the most common causes of disability, affecting nearly 30 million individuals in the United States (1 in 8 people).
Depending on the degree and type of hearing loss, there are different hearing devices that a person might benefit from. Two common types of hearing technology are hearing aids and cochlear implants. Let’s learn more about cochlear implants vs hearing aids: what’s the difference?
Who is a candidate for Hearing Aids?
Hearing aids are
beneficial for individuals with mild to severe hearing loss in one or both ears. Hearing aids are programmed based on an individual’s specific hearing loss, giving their brain better access to important speech and environmental sounds. They are small hearing devices that can be worn in or behind the ears.
What are Hearing Aids?
Hearing aids consist of a microphone, an amplifier, and a speaker. Most hearing aids today are digital. They transform sound waves into digital signals and replicate the original sound precisely. Utilizing a computerized chip, they examine the surrounding area for spoken words and other noises. Older analog hearing aids simply make the sound louder.
An experienced audiology clinic like Hearts for Hearing will be able to advise you on the type of hearing aid that is best for you based on your degree of hearing loss, comfort, and lifestyle.
Styles of hearing aids include the following:
- Behind the ear (BTE)
- Completely in the ear canal
- Receiver in the ear
Who is a candidate for a Cochlear Implant?
Even with the most powerful hearing aids, people may continue to have difficulty understanding speech in quiet environments, have trouble talking on the phone, or feel isolated and withdrawn because of their hearing loss. Individuals with a bilateral moderate to profound permanent hearing loss who receive limited benefit from traditional hearing aids may qualify for a cochlear implant.
What are Cochlear Implants?
Cochlear implants are surgically implanted devices that provide individuals who have significant permanent hearing loss better access to sound. Cochlear implantation consists of two parts: the external sound processor and the surgically implanted internal device. The sound processor sits behind the ear and is responsible for picking up environmental sounds. Those sounds are converted into a digital code and transmitted to the internal device. The internal device sends these electrical signals along the hearing nerve to the brain.
People with cochlear implants need training to learn how to interpret the signals. It takes 3 to 6 months of using the cochlear implant to understand speech, so it is not an automatic “fix” like a hearing aid.
What Are the Benefits of Cochlear Implants?
Advantages of cochlear implants include the following:
- Individuals can hear speech without needing visual clues.
- There is recognition of environmental sounds.
- Patients can listen in a noisy environment.
- Individuals have the ability to find sounds and where they are coming from.
- Patients can hear TV programs, music, and telephone conversations.
Scientists are working to develop a system with no external unit.
Contact the experienced audiologists at Heart for Hearing if you would like a hearing assessment to discover which type of hearing device might be right for you. Call 405-548-4300 to schedule an appointment in Oklahoma City and Tulsa today.