Hearing Aids vs. Cochlear Implants: What’s the Difference?

When you have been diagnosed with hearing loss, the next step is to figure out which treatment is going to work best for you. Generally speaking, there are two common approaches to improving your range of hearing so that you can live a better standard of life: hearing aids and cochlear implants. However, if you don’t know about either of them, they might sound like they do much the same thing, amplifying exterior sounds so that you can better hear them. The truth is that there are significant differences between hearing aids and cochlear implants, and we’ll take a look at them now.

Hearing Aids

First, let’s start by looking at the differences between the devices themselves. Hearing aids are portable, wearable devices, powered by batteries and placed either in or behind the ear. They amplify external sounds to improve the hearing range of people who experience mild-to-profound hearing loss.

Each hearing aid is comprised of a microphone, which picks up the sound from the environment and turns it into electrical signals. The amplifier inside the device magnifies the sound and the speaker turns the amplified electrical signals back into sound waves and directs it into the ear.

There are various styles of hearing aids, such as in the ear (ITE), behind the ear (BTE) and in the canal (ITC). Which of them is the best fit for the user may depend on the extent of hearing loss they experience, as well as aspects such as their manual dexterity. Each type of hearing aid can come with a wide range of different features, as well, such as noise cancellation, Bluetooth connectivity and directional microphones. They can also be programmed to suit different settings, providing different levels of sound amplification depending on, for instance, whether the user is in a quiet space or a crowded room.

Cochlear Implants

Cochlear implants differ from hearing aids in terms of their design and functionality. Unlike hearing aids that are worn behind the ear and can be removed, cochlear implants have a different approach. They consist of two main components: one part is surgically placed, featuring electrodes that are implanted into the cochlea of the ear. The implant itself is permanently inserted, ensuring its stability and long-term functionality. This permanent placement allows cochlear implants to provide direct stimulation to the auditory nerve, enabling individuals with profound hearing loss to perceive sound in a unique way.

These devices amplify sound not by sending sounds to the inner ear, but by stimulating the auditory nerves. They consist of a microphone that picks up sounds, converts them to electric signals and sends them to a receiver. The transmitter then converts them into the signal that is given out by the electrode array, which outputs directly to the auditory nerve.

One of the biggest differences is that cochlear implants are typically only used for those with the most profound kinds of hearing loss, the kind that may not be suitable for hearing aids. They only work in cases of sensorineural hearing loss, which is when the hair cells in the inner ear are damaged, meaning they aren’t as effective at sending signals to the brain.

What’s Different About Them?

While it might seem like the purposes of both hearing aids and cochlear implants are fairly similar, there are a lot of differences when you get down to it. For instance, hearing aids can be taken off and put back in easily, while a part of the cochlear implant is going to be permanently implanted. Hearing aids are the more common treatment, more applicable for a wider range of people, as they can treat all levels of hearing loss from mild to profound, while cochlear implants are typically only recommended for those experiencing profound hearing loss.

How the devices actually work is different, as well. Hearing aids amplify noises and direct it to the inner ear so that the hair cells there can pick it up and transmit them to the brain, while cochlear implants bypass the inner ear and stimulate the auditory nerve. While both devices require some time for the user to acclimate to them, hearing aid users develop decent speech understanding soon after use, while cochlear implant users often require additional assistance and help in interpreting the sounds outputted by the device.

Find Out Which Best Suits Your Needs

The differences between hearing aids and cochlear implants are vast. If you’re experiencing hearing loss, the best way to find out which is most suited to your needs is to get in touch with your audiologist. Learn more about how Grusecki Audiology & Hearing Aid Services can help you and arrange an appointment by calling us today at 623-583-1737.