Hearing Aids vs. Cochlear Implant Surgery: Which is Right for You?

In Singapore, almost 500,000 people are estimated to be suffering from hearing loss to a certain degree. While this is a small fraction of the global 1.5 billion people facing hearing impediments to some extent, no one should have to live with hearing issues when there is a solution available.

Coming in the form of both Hearing aids and Cochlear implants, these devices can help people who suffer from hearing loss.


Understanding the Basics of Hearing Devices

While both devices are designed to address hearing loss, their design varies as per the medical condition of the people who are going to use them. Thus, both devices are designed to cater to people with different levels of hearing loss.

What Are Hearing Aids?

Only 17% of people who suffer from hearing loss globally use hearing aids. However, according to WHO data, over 400 million stand to benefit from them.

An electronic device meant to assist people with hearing loss, hearing aids pick up sound from the surroundings and transmit it to the speaker which is placed in the ear canal. Depending on their design, they are further classified into:

  • Behind-the-ear Hearing Aids

The sturdy, classical device that we often imagine when we think of hearing aids, most parts in this design are housed in a casing that is placed behind the outer ear. Suitable for all ages, if this is the design that you want, you can get a hearing aid that is fitted to your ear.

  • In-the-ear Hearing Aids

Less bulky than the traditional design, the device takes up either a part (half shell) or the entire portion (full shell) of your ear. Meant for people with moderate to severe hearing loss, this design is very useful for people who struggle with dexterity.

  • Receiver-in-the-ear Hearing Aids

Somewhat similar to behind-the-ear devices, the body of the hearing aid is placed behind the ear while the speaker is placed in the ear canal. This offers a more natural sound to people and is suitable for those with mild to severe hearing loss.

  • In-the-canal Hearing Aids

Molded to the shape of your ear, in-the-canal hearing aids have a compact design that fits in your ear canal. Some of these designs are smaller than others, making the device seem invisible to the naked eye. These have excellent sound quality, are comfortable, and are a good option for people with glasses.

If you are suffering from a hearing impairment, whether severe, moderate, or mild, getting a hearing aid can significantly improve the quality of your life.

Available Products

When it comes to hearing aids, we offer the best products from the top brands as listed below:

1. Phonak Hearing Aid

A world-class brand that makes quality hearing aids, we carry devices that belong to the below ranges:

  • Phonak Infinio
  • Phonak Lumity
  • Phonak Paradise
2. Signia Hearing Aid

Committed to redefining hearing experience for people with hearing loss, we offer the below Signia devices:

  • Signia Integrated Xperience (IX)
  • Signia Augmented Xperience (AX)
  • Signia Xperience (X)
  • Signia CROS IX
  • Signia CROS AX
3. ReSound Hearing Aid

To provide the best hearing experience to people, the below ReSound range of devices are offered by us:

  • ReSound Nexia
  • ReSound OMNIA
  • Resound Enzo Q
  • ReSound ONE
  • ReSound LiNX Quattro
  • ReSound Key
4. Starkey Hearing Aid

To revolutionize hearing, we carry the below Starkey Hearing Aid Ranges:

  • Genesis AI Hearing Aids
  • Evolv AI Hearing Aids
  • Livio Hearing Aids

What is a Cochlear Implant?

If you have been using hearing aids for quite some time but have failed to address the issue, it might be time for a cochlear implant. A surgical implant meant for people with severe to profound hearing loss, cochlear implant surgery bypasses the damaged portion of the ear, giving people the ability to interpret speech and sounds. 2022 data estimated that over 1 million people globally have received a cochlear implant.

However, it needs to be established that a cochlear implant surgery will not restore your natural hearing.

Available Products

To meet the needs of people with severe to profound hearing loss, we offer cochlear implants from

  • Cochlear + ReSound Bimodal Hearing Solution (Cochlear Implant)

With a cochlear implant in one ear and a hearing aid in the other, you can get a superior hearing experience with these devices.


Key Differences Between Hearing Aids and Cochlear Implants

Both medical devices have notable differences that can be explained in the below terms:

Functionality

Hearing aids pick up sounds from the surroundings, amplify them, and transmit them to a part of the inner ear using a speaker. The sound from a hearing aid is an amplified version of those in the natural surroundings.

Cochlear Implants bypass the damaged parts of the ear entirely and stimulate the auditory nerve using electrical signals. Thus, getting a cochlear implant is a surgical procedure.

Suitability for Different Types of Hearing Loss

Hearing aids are meant for people who suffer from mild to severe hearing loss that is either conductive or sensorineural.

Cochlear implants are meant for people who suffer from severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss. Thus the hearing loss needs to be a result of damage to the inner ear or hearing nerve.


Pros and Cons of Each Medical Device

Like all medical devices, both come with their own sets of advantages and issues:

Benefits of Hearing Aids

Having a success rate of 80-90%, hearing aids are one of the more popular medical devices. By using a hearing aid, one enjoys the following benefits:

  • Reduces strain and makes it easy to interpret speech
  • Improves the cognitive health of the affected people
  • Reduces the effects of tinnitus and vertigo
  • Helps people localize sound and hear in noisy environments

Benefits of Cochlear Implants

If hearing aids no longer help, it is probably time for a cochlear implant. The extent of success that you will get with a cochlear implant varies from case to case. At the very least, patients will be able to hear up to a certain extent or detect the presence of sound. With therapy, people enjoy clearer hearing and improved tinnitus.

Considerations and Challenges

If you have been prescribed a hearing aid, you may face the following issues:

  • Mild pain or discomfort
  • Whistling, distortion, and interference due to earwax build-up or issues with the device
  • Damage to the hearing aids due to moisture

When opting for a cochlear implant, patients need to keep the below in mind:

  • Surgical complications such as bleeding, numbness, and swelling
  • Infections and meningitis due to surgery
  • Facial paralysis
  • Brain fluid leak

While there is no alternative to hearing aids and cochlear implants when suffering from hearing loss, one needs to be mindful and select an option that suits them best.


Factors to Consider When Choosing Between Hearing Aids and Cochlear Implants

Your doctor will prescribe the device which is right for you. You can also visit a hearing clinic to help diagnose the severity of your hearing loss. However, when selecting between the two, you can consider the following:

1. Hearing Health

Referring to the general state of your hearing. Pure tone audiometry, and other hearing tests will reveal the state of your hearing health.

2. Severity of Hearing Loss

Whether you suffer from mild, moderate, severe, or profound hearing loss will determine which device is prescribed to you.

3. Lifestyle and Personal Preferences

You can choose between devices based on your lifestyle. However, using either device while playing contact sports or swimming is advised against.

4. Availability of Specialists

Getting a cochlear implant calls for surgical intervention. This is not an outpatient procedure, a surgeon, who is a cochlear implant specialist, still needs to be available.


Conclusion

Seek advice from your doctor and choose wisely between the available devices, whether it is a hearing aid or a cochlear implant. Be aware of the benefits that you stand to receive and any issues that may arise when you get a hearing device and make an informed decision.

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