Cochlear Implants

What are Cochlear Implants?

Cochlear implants are surgically implanted electronic devices (hearing implants) used to provide a sense of sound to a person who is considered severely hard of hearing. Best of all, we can perform the procedure in one of our affiliated hospitals, so there’s no need to travel long distances to have the procedure.

How Do Cochlear Implants Work?

A qualified surgeon will place a small hearing implant under the skin behind your ear, hidden from view.

Once sound is captured by the cochlear implant processor and converted into digital information, it is transmitted to the internal implant which converts that information into electrical signals and sends them to electrodes. These electrodes follow the shape of your cochlea, stimulating the nerve fibers and sending sound signals to your brain. These signals are what ultimately become sounds such as music or speech.

The implant procedure is an outpatient surgery that is usually done under general anesthesia and lasts only a couple of hours. Because it is considered a “hearing implant” and not a “hearing aid”, most insurance plans will cover cochlear implants.

Am I a Candidate for Cochlear Implants?

To learn if you’re a candidate for a hearing implant, it’s best to schedule an appointment with one of our hearing specialists. Implant candidacy is determined on an individual basis and takes into account several factors including hearing history, residual hearing, speech recognition and various health factors.

Candidates typically have:

• Severe sensorineural hearing loss in one or both ears
• A functioning auditory nerve
• Lived a short amount of time without hearing
• No medical reason to avoid surgery

There are no age requirements or restrictions to receive a cochlear implant.

Bilateral Cochlear Implant Testimonial

Click to watch a bilateral cochlear implant patient testimonial.

3-Part Cochlear Implant Story

Follow the story of a recent patient as we film him before his cochlear implant surgery, when his implant was activated and at his two month follow-up appointment.