How are cochlear implants, hearing aids and stapedectomies different?

As you begin your journey to better hearing, you’ve likely found that you have several options to meet your needs. Tools like cochlear implants, hearing aids and stapedectomy surgery can all be meaningful solutions for people with hearing loss, but which will be most useful in meeting your hearing loss needs?

If you’re trying to sort out what’s best for you—cochlear implants vs. hearing aids or a stapedectomy vs. hearing aids— learn more about these solutions and which might be most useful in improving your hearing. 

Differences between Cochlear Implants, Hearing Aids and Stapedectomies

While all are useful tools in addressing hearing loss, cochlear implants, hearing aids and stapedectomies are vastly different treatments that each require their own levels of personal and medical involvement. It’s important to keep this in mind when you’re comparing cochlear implants vs. hearing aids, stapedectomies vs. cochlear implants and hearing aids vs. stapedectomies.

In the case of hearing aids, these devices are fitted by a professional and do not require surgery; stapedectomies and cochlear implants both require doctor’s supervision and surgery, which naturally incur higher costs compared to hearing aids. Each solution involves its own application procedures, has distinct methods of amplifying sound and addresses different degrees of hearing loss.

By understanding the specifics of each method and its best use cases, you can better determine which option could be the most effective in meeting your individual hearing loss needs. Explore the costs, requirements and usages of these popular hearing loss restoration solutions. 

Can I have a cochlear implant and wear a hearing aid?

Hearing isn’t always the same in both ears, meaning that solutions to restore your hearing might look different in each ear. If you experience a lower level of hearing loss in one ear and a more severe level in the other, you can combine the benefits of hearing aids and a cochlear implant in a treatment process called bimodal hearing. If you’re curious whether it could help you, discuss it with your audiologist to determine its effectiveness in your specific case.

If you have questions about what method of hearing loss restoration is best for you, schedule an appointment at your local Miracle-Ear to test your hearing and learn more.