Hearing aids are the instrument of choice for the majority people with hearing loss, but for those who are deaf or severely hard of hearing, cochlear implants may be a better option.

Both hearing aids and cochlear implants work best for people diagnosed with sensorineural hearing loss, meaning they have damage to the hair cells in the inner ear and/or the nerve pathways from the inner ear to the brain. Sensorineural hearing loss is the most common type of hearing loss.

So what’s the difference between the two devices? Cochlear implants are surgically implanted by a surgical specialist. They stimulate the auditory nerve to provide the sensation of sound for those who are deaf or severely hard of hearing.  Hearing aids are removable and are used to amplify sound for people with residual hearing. They are taken in and out of the ear canal by the user.

Hearing aids are small, electronic devices specifically designed to amplify sounds going into the ear. Ideally, these devices are prescribed by hearing healthcare professionals following a hearing evaluation. Hearing aids work best for people who have mild to moderate sensorineural hearing loss.

Cochlear implants are complex medical devices which must be surgically implanted by a medical professional. These devices bypass the damaged portion of the inner ear to directly stimulate the auditory nerve. Cochlear implants do not restore hearing, rather, they provide the sensation of sound for those who are deaf or have profound hearing loss.

Content provided by HealthyHearing

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