This paper compares the evidence-based outcomes between cochlear implants and hearing
aids during the past several decades. Despite many similarities, there are also some
important differences that define the progress for the two disciplines. Perhaps the
most significant distinction exists in terms of the difference between the Food and
Drug Administration's treatment of hearing aids as Class I medical devices, while
cochlear implants are defined as Class III devices. Another point of divergence has
been the number of publications in archival, peer-reviewed journals; implant papers
have been steadily increasing during the past decade, while hearing aid papers have
declined during the same period. The impact of these differences on the past, present,
and future of hearing aid and cochlear implant research, technology, and clinical
practice is discussed.
Key Words
Cochlear implant - evidence-based outcome - hearing aid - research
