Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is a type of hearing loss that occurs when there is damage to the inner ear or the auditory nerve. This damage is permanent in nature, meaning that once individual experiences sensorineural hearing loss, the hearing loss is irreversible and cannot be restored. However, there are ways to effectively treat and manage sensorineural hearing loss.
Sensorineural Hearing Loss Treatment Options
The most common and effective treatment option for sensorineural hearing loss is the use of hearing aids or Self Fit OTC hearing Aids. Other treatment options include cochlear implants, CROS or BiCROS devices, and corticosteroids for sudden sensorineural hearing loss.
Factors to Consider
Several factors will help determine the best treatment option for your hearing loss. These include the degree of severity, whether one or both ears are affected, and whether the hearing loss is sudden or progressive in nature. If it is determined that the best course of action for your hearing loss is hearing aids, then there are many different types and styles of hearing aids to consider.
Conventional Hearing Aids
Conventional professionally fit hearing aids are the most common and effective treatment for sensorineural hearing loss. They can help most people with sensorineural hearing loss and are suitable for a wide range of hearing disabilities.
There are many different types of hearing aids to choose from, and making a decision can seem overwhelming. Your lifestyle, budget, listening needs, and priorities will help determine the best type of hearing aid for you.
Many years ago, analog hearing aids were widely used. These days, digital hearing aids are more popular. Digital hearing aids are frequency-specific medical devices, which means that your audiologist will be able to amplify only the frequencies where you have hearing loss. As a result, digital hearing aids allow the audiologist greater flexibility to program hearing aids compared to analog hearing aids.
Conventional hearing aids are best suited for individuals with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, meaning sensorineural hearing loss in both ears. However, there is still a lot to consider when purchasing hearing aids.
Professionally Fit Hearing Aids vs Self-Fit OTC Hearing Aids
When it comes to purchasing hearing aids, there are two main options: professionally fit hearing aids and self-fit over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids. Both options have their pros and cons, and it’s essential to understand the difference between them to make an informed decision.
Professionally fit hearing aids are devices that are customized to an individual’s unique hearing needs and are fit by an audiologist. Who conducts a thorough hearing evaluation and helps select the appropriate hearing aid. They also take ear impressions to ensure that the hearing aid fits perfectly in the ear canal, which is crucial for optimal sound quality and comfort. Once the hearing aid is fit, the hearing healthcare professional will program it to meet the individual’s specific hearing needs.
See my recommendations for the current best hearing aids available.
Pros of professionally fit hearing aids include:
- Customized to individual hearing needs and shape of the ear.
- Fit perfectly in the ear canal for optimal sound quality and comfort
- Professional programming for optimal hearing performance
- High-quality components and technology
Cons of professionally fit hearing aids include:
- Higher cost
- Requires visits to a hearing healthcare professional for fitting and adjustments
- May not be covered by insurance
Self-Fit OTC Hearing Aids
Self-fit OTC hearing aids are devices that can be purchased without a prescription or hearing evaluation. They are designed for individuals with mild to moderate hearing loss and are available in various styles and sizes. They come with pre-programmed settings that can be adjusted using a smartphone app or remote control.
Pros of self-fit OTC hearing aids include:
- Lower cost than professionally fit hearing aids
- No visits to a hearing healthcare professional required
- Can be purchased without a prescription
- Can be easily adjusted with a smartphone app or remote control
Cons of self-fit OTC hearing aids include:
- Not customized to individual hearing needs
- May not fit perfectly in the ear canal, leading to discomfort and suboptimal sound quality
- Limited programming options
- Lower-quality components and older technology
In summary, professionally fit hearing aids offer a customized solution for individuals with hearing loss and provide optimal sound quality and comfort. However, they come at a higher cost and require visits to a hearing healthcare professional. Self-fit OTC hearing aids offer a lower-cost alternative, but they may not provide the same level of customization and may be less comfortable and effective than professionally fit hearing aids. Ultimately, the choice between professionally fit hearing aids and self-fit OTC hearing aids depends on the individual’s hearing needs, budget, and preferences.
Hearing Aid Brands
When it comes to hearing aids, there are a variety of brands available on the market today. Some of the most well-known and popular brands for professionally fit hearing aids include Phonak, Starkey, Widex, GN Resound, and Oticon.
Phonak is a Swiss-based hearing aid manufacturer that offers a range of hearing aids for different types and degrees of hearing loss. Their hearing aids come in a variety of styles, including behind-the-ear (BTE), in-the-ear (ITE), and completely-in-canal (CIC). Phonak’s newest product is call Lumity.
Starkey is a US-based hearing aid company that offers a range of hearing aids with advanced features, including noise reduction and Bluetooth connectivity. They offer a range of styles, including BTE, ITE, and in-the-canal (ITC) hearing aids. Starkey’s newest product is called Genesis AI.
Widex is a Danish hearing aid manufacturer that offers a range of hearing aids with advanced features, including wireless connectivity and noise reduction. Their hearing aids come in a variety of styles, including BTE, ITE, and CIC.
GN Resound is a Danish hearing aid company that offers a range of hearing aids with advanced features, including wireless connectivity and noise reduction. Their hearing aids come in a variety of styles, including BTE, ITE, and CIC. Resound’s newest product is called Resound Omnia.
Oticon is a Danish hearing aid company that offers a range of hearing aids with advanced features, including Bluetooth connectivity and noise reduction. Their hearing aids come in a variety of styles, including BTE, ITE, and CIC. Oticon’s newest product is called Real and has my highest current recommendation.
For those looking for over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids, there are a few brands to consider as well. These include Lexie, Sony, Soundwave, Jabra, Otofonix, Eargo, and Sennheiser.
Styles of Hearing Aids
Once you and your audiologist determine that you will benefit from the use of hearing aids, you will need to consider several factors for the type of hearing aid(s).
Behind-the-Ear Hearing Aids
There are two types of behind-the-ear hearing aids. One type is a bigger behind-the-ear body that attaches to a custom-made earmold with a tube. Every few months, the tube gets hard and will need to be replaced by your audiologist. This type of behind-the-ear hearing aid is bigger because it houses the receiver inside of its body.
Another type of behind-the-ear device attaches to a non-custom dome using a tiny wire instead of tubing. This is commonly referred to as a receiver-in-the-canal aid (RIC) or receiver-in-the-ear aid (RITE). A RIC or RITE hearing aid has a receiver that goes directly into the ear, unlike a bigger BTE hearing aid. RIC hearing aids are popular due to their sleek aesthetic look.
In-the-Ear Hearing Aids
There are several in-the-ear hearing aids that vary in size and have different names. The biggest ITE device is a full-shell hearing aid, which covers the full shell of your ear. A full shell aid is nowadays just commonly referred to as an ITE hearing aid.
There are also half-shell hearing aids that cover a portion of your ear. Half-shell hearing aids are also called in-the-canal hearing aids. One of the smaller hearing aids is called a completely-in-the-canal or CIC hearing aid.
The smallest hearing aids that go in your ear are called invisible-in-the-canal hearing aids (IIC) or completely-in-the-canal hearing aids (CIC). These hearing aids are the most discreet and are nearly invisible when worn.
However, due to their small size, they are not suitable for everyone. IIC and CIC hearing aids are best suited for individuals with mild to moderate hearing loss, and those with good dexterity and vision. They also require regular maintenance and cleaning to prevent wax buildup.
CROS or BiCROS Hearing Aids
CROS and BiCROS hearing aids are a type of hearing aid system used to treat single-sided or asymmetric hearing loss. A CROS hearing aid takes the signal from the ear with hearing loss and transmits it to the ear with normal hearing, allowing you to hear from both sides. A BiCROS hearing aid is similar but used for individuals with hearing loss in both ears, but with a significant difference in the degree of those losses.
Both CROS and BiCROS hearing aids can be wired or wireless, with wireless options being increasingly popular. These systems are a non-invasive treatment option for unilateral or bilateral sensorineural hearing loss that is significantly asymmetric in nature.
Cochlear Implant(s)
A cochlear implant is a surgically implanted device used to treat sensorineural hearing loss. Individuals who cannot benefit from conventional hearing aids due to severe or profound hearing loss may be candidates for a cochlear implant.
Cochlear implantation is a surgical procedure that involves destroying the cochlea for the electrode array. Therefore, it is essential to undergo cochlear implant candidacy testing before proceeding with surgery to determine if an individual can benefit from conventional hearing aids.
Cochlear implants are most successful for individuals who have developed language before losing their hearing, making early implantation critical for children. Cochlear implants consist of two main components: an external component that looks like a hearing aid, and an internal component that is surgically implanted.
The external component has a microphone that picks up sound and sends it to a speech processor, which converts sound into a digital signal. The transmitter sends the signal to the receiver, which is located under the skin, and the electrodes in the inner ear trigger the auditory nerve, allowing the brain to process the incoming sound.
The process of getting a cochlear implant is lengthy, and a team of professionals will work with you, including an audiologist, ENT physician, psychologist, and speech-language pathologist. After surgery, auditory rehabilitation is necessary to learn to hear with the cochlear implant.
Overall, understanding the different types of hearing aids available and their benefits and limitations can help you make an informed decision about which hearing aid is right for you.
When an individual has a “dead” ear, meaning very little to no usable hearing on one side, and completely normal hearing in the other ear, that individual might be a candidate for a CROS hearing aid. CROS stands for contralateral routing of signal and is a great non-invasive treatment option for single-sided hearing loss or deafness.
A CROS hearing aid takes the signal from the ear that has hearing loss and transmits it to the ear that has normal hearing. This system requires you to wear “hearing aids” on both ears, even the normal or good ear. But bear in mind that the “hearing aid” on your normal or good ear is not actually amplifying sound, rather, it is delivering sound from your bad ear. A CROS hearing aid system will allow you to essentially hear from both sides, including your bad or dead ear.
A BiCROS hearing aid is very similar to the CROS hearing system. The main difference is that this type of system is used for the treatment of asymmetric hearing losses, where one ear is profoundly impaired with little to no usable hearing and the other ear also has some degree of hearing loss, such as a mild or moderate loss. Thus, both ears have hearing loss, but there is a significant difference in the degree of those losses.
CROS and BiCROS hearing aid systems can be wired or wireless. Nowadays, wireless CROS and BiCROS hearing aids are popular. And again, CROS and BiCROS hearing aids are a non-invasive treatment option for unilateral or bilateral sensorineural hearing loss that is significantly asymmetric in nature.
See more information on bicros hearing aids.
Related Questions
How much do hearing aids cost?
Hearing aids come with a wide range of costs that depend on several factors, including the type and style of hearing aid, the technology level, and the features it offers. See my article on a breakdown of costs over the life of the hearing aid. A hearing aid with advanced features like multiple programs for different settings is likely to cost more than a basic hearing aid. Moreover, more advanced or high-end hearing aids tend to cost more than entry-level hearing aids. You can learn more about why hearing aids cost so much by consulting with your audiologist or browsing online resources.
Let’s say that my audiologist determines that hearing aids are the best treatment option for my hearing loss. Would I need one or two hearing aids?
If you have hearing loss in both ears, it is always advisable to purchase two hearing aids. Research shows that using one hearing aid in one ear while leaving the other unaided can lead to a faster decline in the unaided ear. In some cases, it may be better to buy two entry-level hearing aids instead of one mid-level or premium level hearing aid, given the cost considerations.
What are the signs of hearing loss?
Sometimes, friends and family may notice a person’s hearing loss before they do. Some common signs of hearing loss include turning the television volume up louder than usual, speaking in a very loud voice, asking others to repeat themselves frequently, having trouble hearing on the phone, thinking others are mumbling, and having difficulty following a conversation in a crowded room. If you suspect that you might have hearing loss, you should see an audiologist for a comprehensive hearing evaluation and to discuss hearing aids. The longer you wait to get help, the more likely your ability to process speech will decline.
What are all the types of hearing loss?
There are three types of hearing loss: sensorineural, conductive, and mixed hearing loss. Sensorineural hearing loss occurs when there is an issue in the inner ear or the auditory nerve. Examples of sensorineural hearing loss include age-related hearing loss or hearing loss due to noise exposure. Conductive hearing loss occurs when there is a problem with the outer or middle ear. Ear infections, earwax buildup, and fluid in the middle ear space are examples of conductive hearing loss. Mixed hearing loss refers to issues in both the middle ear and the inner ear. For instance, a 90-year-old person with age-related hearing loss may also have a temporary ear infection causing mixed hearing loss. Function hearing loss is often a descriptor too but it is not what you think it is.
