Why Hearing Aids and Cochlear Implants Sometimes Clash: A Review of Mixed Signals

What is it about?

Signal Interference in Combined Cochlear Implant and Hearing Aid Use: Audiologists often recommend using a cochlear implant (CI) in combination with a hearing aid (HA) for people with significant hearing loss. The implant sends clear electric signals to the inner ear, while the hearing aid makes everyday sounds louder and more natural. The mix of the two devices, called bimodal (one device in each ear) or electro-acoustic stimulation (both in the same ear), helps lots of people hear speech better in noisy places, find where sounds come from, and even enjoy music more than with just one device. While this combination is often the best way to restore hearing, it can sometimes create a hidden hurdle known as "signal interference." Imagine trying to watch a movie where the audio is slightly out of sync with the picture, or listening to two people tell you the same story at slightly different speeds. That is what interference feels like for the brain. Our research shows that for up to 33% of users, these two devices do not work together; instead, they compete. Instead of the hearing aid adding helpful detail, the sharp electronic pulses from the implant and the natural acoustic waves from the hearing aid clash. This conflict makes it much harder to understand speech and leads to “listening fatigue”, where the brain becomes exhausted from trying to reconcile conflicting information. In fact, one study found that 93% of parents felt the implant actually overshadowed the benefit of the hearing aid, leading many patients to stop using their hearing aids entirely. This review identifies the root causes of this "clash," such as "pitch mismatching," where the same sound is perceived at different heights in each ear. The good news is that interference is not a permanent failure of the technology; it is a sign that the devices need better synchronization. We highlight that the key to success is moving away from a "one-size-fits-all" approach. By using specialized fitting strategies to align the timing and pitch of both devices, alongside dedicated auditory training, clinicians can help the brain "tune in" to a unified signal. Our work provides a roadmap to help patients and professionals transform these competing sounds into a clear, harmonious world of sound.

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Photo by Mohammad Honarmand on Unsplash

Photo by Mohammad Honarmand on Unsplash

Why is it important?

What Makes This Work Unique and Timely? While most studies highlight the benefits of using an implant and a hearing aid together, our review focuses on an overlooked downside: signal interference, when devices clash instead of helping. Because this clash is unique to every listener, it is a hidden and unpredictable obstacle that stops many people from getting the most out of their technology. Why is it Unique? • Technological Context We acknowledge technological heterogeneity by mapping evidence from 15 articles across two decades of rapid evolution (2000–2024), with advances in HA processing and CI technologies. This ensures that findings are interpreted through the lens of modern device capabilities rather than outdated technology. • Emphasis on Real-World Clinical Outcomes Why do patients stop using their hearing aids? Successful hearing happens in the brain, not just the ear. We move beyond auditory scores to investigate the "Bimodal Interference." This work goes beyond standard hearing tests to reveal the real-world "cognitive load" patients face. When signals from two devices clash, the brain has to work overtime, leading to exhaustion and, eventually, device abandonment. By highlighting these hidden behavioral and psychological hurdles, we provide a roadmap for personalized care that keeps patients connected to their world. • A Shift Toward Precision This isn't just a review; it's a call to action. We underscore the urgent need for cognitive assessments and customized fittings to reduce discontinuation rates and transform the way we manage individuals with hearing impairment. Why is it Timely? • Call for Mixed-Methods Research Approach A particularly timely recommendation from this review is the emphasis on moving beyond traditional quantitative approaches. Standard hearing tests only tell half the story. To truly solve signal interference, we must move beyond traditional scores. We emphasize a shift toward "Mixed-Methods" research. By pairing quantitative outcomes with qualitative patient experiences, we can better distinguish between technical device issues and a patient’s unique neural processing. Future research should address limitations through mixed-methods designs that combine quantitative psychoacoustic outcomes with qualitative approaches, which is critical for distinguishing device-specific effects from underlying perceptual mechanisms and for capturing the individualized, real-world nature of bimodal benefit and interference. • Closing the Evidence Gap: While the field has many theories about why hearing aids and implants interfere, we reveal that none have been definitively proven. By identifying these "unconfirmed" causes, we provide the roadmap for future intervention studies to finally bridge these gaps. The Difference This Work Makes This review serves as a guide for strategic interventions. It differs from traditional reviews by combining systematic evidence mapping with explicit identification of knowledge gaps, recognition of technological change over time, and a call for methodologically rigorous research designs. By addressing the root causes of hearing aid rejection, this work has the potential to significantly improve long-term outcomes and quality of life for the growing population of bimodal and EAS users.

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