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When dealing with hearing loss, it's important to understand your options. This blog aims to shed light on two technologies that can drastically improve your quality of life: cochlear implants and hearing aids. They are both designed to aid hearing, but they function in different ways and are used for varying degrees of hearing loss. Read on to understand the differences and consult our Pristyn Care doctors for a personalised treatment plan.
When dealing with hearing loss, it's important to understand your options. This blog ... Read More
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A cochlear implant is a small, complex electronic device that can provide a sense of sound to a person who is profoundly deaf or severely hard of hearing. Unlike hearing aids, which make sounds louder, cochlear implants bypass the damaged parts of the ear and directly stimulate the auditory nerve.
This device consists of two parts:
The microphone picks up environmental sounds, and the processor selects and arranges these sounds. The transmitter then sends them to the implanted electrodes in the cochlea (the spiral cavity of the inner ear). From there, the impulses are sent through the auditory nerve to the brain, where they are interpreted as sound.
Understanding how cochlear implants work can help you make an informed decision about your hearing health. It’s crucial to remember that everyone’s experience with cochlear implants is unique due to individual hearing loss conditions and lifestyle factors.
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A hearing aid is a small electronic device designed to improve your hearing. It’s an important tool that facilitates better communication and enhances the quality of life for individuals who have hearing challenges.
Hearing aids are essentially made up of the following components:
When you’re wearing a hearing aid, it picks up sounds from your surroundings, amplifies them, and then delivers these louder sounds into your ears. This can assist those with varying degrees of hearing loss, from mild to severe. But remember, hearing aids do not restore your hearing to normal; they simply amplify all sounds, including background noise.
Cochlear implants are a step up from traditional hearing aids and are often used when conventional hearing aids are no longer effective. On top of that, there are different types of Cochlear implants according to the requirement. They’re not merely amplifying sounds but are designed to mimic natural hearing functions. How, you may ask? Let’s dive into the working mechanism of cochlear implants.
Unlike hearing aids, cochlear implants bypass damaged portions of the ear and directly stimulate the auditory nerve – the nerve that transmits sound signals to the brain. The implant system comprises two main parts: an external portion that sits behind the ear and a surgically placed internal portion.
Here’s a step-by-step explanation of how cochlear implants work:
So, in essence, cochlear implants convert sound waves into electrical impulses to simulate hearing. It’s a remarkable piece of technology that can give a person with severe hearing loss a new sense of sound.
While both hearing aids and cochlear implants have their unique functions, it’s important to consult your family doctor or a specialist to determine which device is suitable for you or your loved ones.
If you or someone close to you suffers from hearing loss, you might have heard of cochlear implants and hearing aids. These two devices are commonly used in the medical world to help individuals with impaired hearing. But do you know how they differ from each other?
Hearing aids are devices that simply amplify sounds. They work best for individuals with mild to moderate hearing loss, where the damage is limited to the inner ear. What they do is increase the volume of sound waves so they can be picked up more easily by the damaged hair cells in the inner ear.
On the other hand, cochlear implants are far more complex and advanced. They don’t just amplify sound; they bypass the damaged part of the ear and directly stimulate the auditory nerve. Cochlear implants consist of a microphone, a speech processor and an implanted electrode array. The microphone captures sound which is then converted into an electrical signal by the speech processor. This electrical signal is then sent to the implanted electrode array which stimulates the auditory nerve. This makes them suitable for individuals with moderate to profound hearing loss, where conventional hearing aids may prove ineffective.
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Knowing the difference between cochlear implants and hearing aids is the first step in making an informed choice. But how do you decide which one is right for you or your loved one?
Here are a few considerations:
The decision between a cochlear implant and a hearing aid should be taken after careful consideration and consultation with your family doctor or an ear specialist. They can guide you based on your specific needs and conditions to ensure you make the best choice for improving your hearing health.
An individual who is hard of hearing or profoundly deaf can significantly benefit from a cochlear implant. This device works by bypassing the damaged part of the inner ear, delivering sound signals directly to the auditory nerve.
When it comes to cochlear implant brands, there are a few key players offering innovative solutions:
Each of these brands has unique advantages, so it’s essential to consult your doctor to find the one that best suits your needs.
Hearing aids can significantly improve the quality of life for individuals with varying degrees of hearing loss. Here are some of the top brands available:
Remember, the best brand for you will depend on your specific hearing needs and lifestyle requirements. Always consult with your doctor before making any decisions about cochlear implants or hearing aids.
A cochlear implant is an electronic device that can help provide a sense of sound to people who are severely deaf or hard-of-hearing. Unlike hearing aids, which make sounds louder, cochlear implants bypass the damaged parts of the ear and directly stimulate the auditory nerve.
Individuals with severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss in both ears who gain minimal or no benefits from hearing aids may be potential candidates for cochlear implants.
While cochlear implants are generally safe, like any surgical procedure, they do come with potential risks. Therefore, it’s essential to have a detailed discussion with your doctor before making a decision.
Yes, both adults and children can be candidates for cochlear implants. However, the suitability depends on various factors such as the level of hearing loss, overall health condition, and the ability to participate in post-implant therapy sessions.
Hearing aids amplify sounds so they may be detected by damaged ears, whereas cochlear implants bypass damaged portions of the ear and directly stimulate the auditory nerve. Therefore, sounds heard through a cochlear implant may seem different and may need getting
Recovery times can vary based on individual conditions. However, most people usually feel able to return to their regular activities within one to two weeks after surgery.
Yes, you can use a cochlear implant in one ear and a hearing aid in the other, if you have residual hearing in the non-implanted ear. This is known as bimodal hearing.
The external part of a cochlear implant is worn behind the ear like a hearing aid, but it also has a small coil that is fixed to the skin with a magnet. Therefore, while they are visible, cochlear implants are often less noticeable than traditional hearing aids.
Yes, many people report that their tinnitus is less bothersome after cochlear implantation. However, the improvement in tinnitus is subjective and varies from person to person.
The internal parts of a cochlear implant are safe from water damage as they are sealed inside the body. However, you will need to remove the external parts before swimming or taking a shower to avoid damage.
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