From the Research
I strongly recommend against providing a Motion 13 1 NX hearing aid for the patient's left ear, as the most recent and highest quality study suggests that bilateral hearing aids may not be an effective treatment for individuals with bilateral, moderate sloping to profound sensorineural hearing loss 1. Instead, the patient should be referred to a Cochlear implant clinic for further evaluation, as this may provide better outcomes in terms of speech understanding and overall quality of life. The study published in the American journal of otolaryngology in 2020 found that bilateral hearing aids were not effective in improving speech understanding in quiet and noise, and that 90% of participants reported dissatisfaction with their overall hearing performance 1. In contrast, other studies have shown that Cochlear implants can provide significant improvements in speech understanding and quality of life for individuals with severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss 2. Therefore, a comprehensive audiological evaluation should be conducted to determine the best course of treatment for the patient, and referral to a Cochlear implant clinic should be considered. It is also important to note that the patient's individual needs and circumstances should be taken into account when making a decision, and that a thorough discussion of the potential benefits and risks of different treatment options should be had with the patient. Some studies have also shown that bone-anchored hearing aids and other devices may be effective for certain types of hearing loss, but these options should be considered on a case-by-case basis 3, 4, 5. Ultimately, the goal should be to provide the patient with the best possible outcome in terms of speech understanding, quality of life, and overall well-being.