Hearing technology ranges from medical grade devices, like hearing aids or implantable devices (like a cochlear implant or middle ear implant), to consumer electronic devices, like Bluetooth headphones or earbuds. It's important to understand these differences, as certain laws and regulations apply to how these devices operate and who can sell them.
When I lecturer at the University of Western Australia, I use this image to help the students understand the market of hearing technologies and level of service that is available (current as at, 2024). I hope you find benefit from it.

It's important to remember that hearing devices are an integral part of the equation to helping you hear better (should you require these), your level of motivation to use them on a daily basis and how the hearing devices (hearing aids or implantable devices) are programmed is another. Working with an audiologist at HCC will help you reach your goals.
Hearing aids
Hearing aids are medical grade devices that comply with strict regulations around how they are made and what their marketing intent can claim. In Australia, hearing aids must comply with the Therapy and Goods Administration (TGA) and the businesses that make them, must also comply (how they operate and where these medical grade products are made). Whilst hearing aids can have certain features like Bluetooth connectivity, the manner in which they are programmed is different from how earbuds that claim to do the same are programmed.
Hearing aids can only be sold by registered professionals. You will not find a hearing aid in a consumer electronic store, for example, like JB-Hi Fi or Office works. As hearing aids are available from registered professionals, it's important to understand the professional service portion (aural rehabilitation, counselling etc) that is needed to get the best benefit from hearing aids.
Headphones or earbuds (like Apple Airpod Pro's)
Consumer grade products like Bluetooth headphones or earbuds aren't required to comply by TGA law. These products are limited in how they perform and what they can do compared to hearing aids. It's important to be aware of the marketing claims by the companies who make these products, and understand the differences between the claims made by a marketing team compared to the support and education you receive from an audiologist.
Implantable devices (like the cochlear implant)
The cochlear implant, middle ear implant and brainstem implant are medical grade devices. Similar to hearing aids, this category of device complies with strict TGA law. Implantable devices require a service portion, consisting of a surgical portion (by an ENT, Neurologist etc) and an audiological or allied health portion to support you. The surgeon will perform the implant and the allied health professional will support your rehabilitation.
Consider
Devices are pieces of hardware. They can work well when programmed correctly and adjusted over time (or as needed), and they can stop working over time, especially if not taken care of. It's important to have realistic expectations when it comes to using these pieces of hardware, especially with hearing aids and implants. These pieces of hardware are aids and will not restore hearing to normal thresholds.
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