Trying to figure out hearing loss solutions can be overwhelming. It can feel like you’re trying to decode a map full of medical jargon that just leaves you with more questions than answers.
You’ve got two completely different technologies—hearing aids and cochlear implants—and it’s not always clear who should use which. Making the right choice feels huge, whether it’s for you, a parent, or your child. The stakes are high, and being afraid of making the wrong call is perfectly normal. You can watch the video version here:
How Hearing Works
Your ear works in three parts. Sound waves travel into your outer ear, making your eardrum vibrate. Those vibrations move through tiny bones in your middle ear and into your inner ear, which holds the cochlea—a snail-shaped organ lined with thousands of hair cells.
When those hair cells bend, they create electrical signals. Your auditory nerve carries those signals to your brain, which turns them into recognizable sounds: a loved one’s voice, your favorite song, or a car horn.
Hearing loss often happens when the hair cells inside the cochlea are damaged. That’s where hearing aids and cochlear implants come in.
What Hearing Aids Do
Most people are familiar with hearing aids. Years ago, they mostly just made things louder. But today’s hearing aids are advanced digital devices.
They:
- Reduce background noise
- Boost speech clarity
- Connect to phones, TVs, and even doorbells
- Help your brain process sound more naturally
Key point: Hearing aids still rely on your remaining natural hearing. They’re best for mild to moderate, and sometimes severe, hearing loss—when there are still healthy cells to send signals to the brain.
They’re non-invasive, custom-fit, and usually quick to adjust to. For many in Utah County, from American Fork to Spanish Fork, hearing aids have restored connection to conversations, music, and daily life.
📖 Learn more in our Learning Center.
What Cochlear Implants Do
Cochlear implants are different. Instead of amplifying sound, they bypass the damaged parts of the ear entirely.
- An external processor captures sound.
- An internal implant sends signals directly to the auditory nerve.
This makes them effective for people with severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss, when even the best hearing aids don’t provide clarity.
The surgery is routine and outpatient—not brain surgery. But the real work comes after surgery. Therapy is needed to help the brain make sense of the new signals.
Patient Story: Paul, Age 62
Paul struggled with hearing loss for 15 years. Even with premium hearing aids, conversations were muffled. After getting a cochlear implant, the adjustment was tough at first-- things sounded more mechanical than he was used to and he often felt overwhelmed. However, three months later, he told his daughter, “I just heard birds chirping outside. First time in over a decade.”
How to Decide: Hearing Aids vs Implants
Choosing between hearing aids and implants comes down to a few key things:
1. The Medical Evaluation
An audiologist tests your hearing and speech understanding.
- If speech scores are good, hearing aids may be the answer.
- If speech is still unclear even at higher volumes, implants may be better.
2. Your Goals and Lifestyle
- Do you just need help in quiet one-on-one chats? → Hearing aids might work.
- Do you want clarity in groups, restaurants, and phone calls? → Implants may be stronger.
3. Your Readiness
Hearing aids require some adjustment. Cochlear implants require therapy and patience—but they can offer profound benefits.
Special Note for Parents
For children with severe hearing loss, timing is critical. Sound needs to reach the brain early for normal language development. Cochlear implants can be placed as early as 9–12 months for qualifying children.
Next Steps
Think of this as a guide—not a diagnosis.
➡️ Schedule a full evaluation with an audiologist.
➡️ Ask about a speech understanding score (take our online self screener here) in both quiet and noisy settings.
➡️ From there, you’ll know whether hearing aids or cochlear implants make the most sense.
📌 You can request an appointment here.
FAQs
Q: Are cochlear implants brain surgery?
A: No. They’re a routine outpatient procedure performed by ENT surgeons.
Q: How long does it take to adjust to a cochlear implant?
A: Everyone is different. Some people notice improvements in weeks; for others, it takes months of therapy. Here are some good guidelines from the Mayo Clinic.
Q: Are hearing aids still useful if my loss is severe?
A: Yes, in some cases. If your speech understanding is still strong, hearing aids may help.
Q: At what age can children get cochlear implants?
A: As early as 9–12 months, if they meet candidacy criteria.
Q: Do modern hearing aids connect to phones and TVs?
A: Yes, many models connect directly to smartphones, TVs, and even smart doorbells.
