Device atlas
Where does the device sit?
Select a style to compare its placement. These are form factors, not product recommendations.
Placement schematic · not to scale
Using a hearing aid
Practise insertion, removal and cleaning with your audiologist. Keep the device dry and store batteries safely. Report persistent discomfort or feedback; fitting and follow-up matter.
Interactive signal pathway
Follow the signal
Select any stage or play the sequence. Timing is slowed for teaching; no audio is generated.
An air-conduction hearing aid still uses the ear’s mechanical and sensory pathway.
Check your understanding
Does a hearing-aid receiver stimulate the auditory nerve directly?
No. It produces acoustic sound. A cochlear implant uses electrical stimulation.
Compare the pathways
| Pathway | Input to the cochlea | Key distinction |
|---|---|---|
| Unaided hearing | Mechanical vibration | Hair-cell transduction |
| Air-conduction hearing aid | Amplified acoustic sound via the middle ear | Uses remaining cochlear function |
| Cochlear implant | Electrical pulses via an electrode array | Bypasses hair-cell transduction |