We all know that hearing technology can help a vast array of people – from those with a minor hearing loss to others with more serious conditions.
For those with a profound hearing loss, the standard solution has been to fit someone with a set of cochlear implants – amazing devices that send sound signals directly to someone’s auditory system.
However, researchers, who published a new study in the Journal of the American Academy of Audiology, have come up with a fantastic way of assisting this group of people even more.
They suggest that using a hearing aid treatment, alongside a cochlear implant, can enhance a person’s hearing when they’re fitted to different ears.
What Did The Study Show?
In the study, patients who adopted this dual approach were able to hear speech and directional sounds much better, compared with when they used a single type of device.
In addition, the sounds they heard were richer, fuller, clearer, and more natural when using the two types of technology.
The reason why this worked so well is that the alternative types of devices process sounds in different ways, which complemented one another during the tests.
The hearing aid lets those involved sense acoustic vibrations, while the cochlear implant stimulated their inner ear’s auditory nerves.
Combined, this approach improved their hearing by an average of 14 percent, compared with using only one type of technology.
The lead author of the study, Lisa Potts, Ph.D., said this was a great idea when it “may not be financially or physically possible for someone to undergo surgery for two cochlear implants.”
How Can You Benefit?
In August, Aim Hearing Services began collaborating with UNC-Chapel Hill to help fit more people in the community with cochlear implants.
It’s been a long-held ambition of ours to expand this service, and it’s fantastic that we can now assist so many people who have a profound hearing loss in the local area.
This breakthrough research has demonstrated to our specialists how they can improve the lives of people even further, using their vast expertise in hearing aid treatments.
If you or someone else has a profound hearing loss, you should know that our team can make a huge difference.
Are you concerned about a hearing loss or know someone else who is? Call us at (336) 295-1064 or write to us on our website, and we’ll be ready to help you right away!
