I've been asked what the difference is between hearing aids and cochlear implants. While ultimately they both provide an increased opportunity for people that are deaf or hard of hearing to hear, they achieve that benefit in very different ways.
First, it's important to recognize that cochlear implants are not for everyone - the qualification criteria (for being accepted to receive in implant) are very strict. The candidate must have a severe enough hearing loss and should also have a good support system, as an implant will require lots of work. Additionally, there are scientific tests that determine whether the candidate's inner ear appears able to accept an implant.
Have you ever been to a rock concert, or blasted the speakers at home or in the car (purposefully or accidentally)? You'll likely remember that the sound was somewhat distorted. You may or may not remember that the base amplified really well, but the higher frequencies (such as 's') did not amplify well at all.
Hearing aids work by amplification. The microphone receives the sounds, determines which sounds to amplify (according to its programming, based on the hearing loss), and then sends the amplified signal out through the speaker of the hearing aid (which goes directly into the ear).
Imagine standing outside in the wind. The 20 mph wind blows your hair, and you feel it. However, if you cut your hair to an inch long, you won't feel the hair move as much in the wind. Now if the wind is increased (amplified) to 100 mph, you'll feel the wind more, but it's going to be somewhat distorted. This is like the hearing aid. Now imagine if instead of increasing the wind, I reach out my hand and rub your hair, causing it to move. That's like the cochlear implant - it doesn't amplify the sound, rather it directly stimulates (electrical stimulation) the nerves that should be stimulated by the sound ('wind') but aren't.
On another issue, some readers have asked if we mind them forwarding the link to this blog on to others that would be interested. Absolutely, please do (as long as it's not to somebody trying to sell us something...). We would ask that you be considerate in who you send it to, and that you send us a courtesy email to let us know who else is reading this, but the point is to help. So far, some readers we are aware of include audiology students; parents considering a cochlear implant for their own child, and their family and friends who have had questions about what a cochlear implant is and what it means to the recipient.
Also, if you have questions about Chance, his implant, what it's like to have a deaf child in the home, raising a deaf child to live in a hearing/speaking world, or anything else related, feel free to email us the questions, or post comments in the blog.
Either way, drop us a note (email or comment to blog) and let us know who is reading this.
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