Hearing can be impaired by many factors, such as an ageing ear, noise exposure, head injuries, pregnancy and more. As hearing loss progresses it can affect how well you hear speech in noisy environments or even isolate you from the people around you. It’s not always easy to know what your options are for dealing with it.
Do you choose a hearing aid or a cochlear implant?
Here are some facts that will help inform your decision.
Hearing aids are a type of medical device that is typically used to improve the ability of a person with hearing loss in one or both ears to hear better in a situation. Hearing aids come in three parts: the microphone, the amplifier, and the receiver. They help make sound louder and clearer for people who have trouble hearing what’s going on around them.
Cochlear implants are devices that are surgically implanted into the inner ear by a medical professional. They use technology to help people who are deaf or hard of hearing to detect sounds. Initially, they were only used for children but now they’re also being used for adults.
Hearing aids and cochlear implants might both appear to be similar, but they do have some significant differences. Hearing aids amplify sound, whereas cochlear implants stimulate the auditory nerve to allow those with hearing loss to hear again. Hearing aids are best for those whose hearing loss has just started and didn’t notice it until later on in life. On the other hand, cochlear implants are best for those who haven’t been able to hear well since birth. The implant will be a more cost-effective solution if the person is getting a lifelong benefit from it.
There are some cases where people can wear both a hearing aid and cochlear implant at the same time, but this is not always possible. A cochlear implant needs to be surgically placed inside the ear. So, it’s typically only an option for children or adults who have lost their hearing due to illness or injury that have open-canal ear drums. A hearing aid can be worn by anyone, but it cannot provide as much sound amplification as a cochlear implant.
The choice between a hearing aid or a cochlear implant is one that people often have to make. Both devices can be used to provide hearing for someone who has lost their ability to hear, but they are different in some key ways. The decision should be based on the needs of the person with hearing loss and their current lifestyle.
Source:
HK Hearing & Speech Centre
Specialist of Hearing test & assessment,
and Hearing Aids Prescription
https://www.hkhearingspeech.com