The Implant

What is a cochlear implant?

The cochlear implant is a complex electronic device that can compensate for non-functioning parts of the inner ear.  The implant procedure involves surgery to insert the device under the skin behind the ear.  Electrodes are attached, providing a direct pathway to the cochlea within the inner ear. 

When the implant detects sound, impulses are sent through the auditory nerve to the brain, creating an effect similar to hearing.

While the implant does not completely restore hearing, most recipients find that they are able to receive significant auditory clues, enabling them to speak and understand oral communication. 

How does it work?

Unlike a hearing aid that simply amplifies sound, a cochlear implant actually converts sound into electrical impulses that the brain can interpret. 

Who is eligible?

Cochlear implants have been used successfully with people of all ages, when hearing aids are no longer providing the necessary assistance.

Best results appear to be achieved when implants are used for young children or for adults who have experienced hearing loss later in life. 

In either situation, extensive post-procedure therapy is required.  Children have the best opportunity to acquire the necessary speech, language, developmental and social skills, but adults have the advantage of being able to associate sounds heard through the implant with sounds that they remember.

Thanks to ongoing research and advancing technology, even people who are currently ineligible may someday find benefit through a cochlear implant.

           *Adapted from Deafness Research Foundation

Considering The Implant?

The choice to receive a cochlear implant is very personal.  It is a life-changing decision that will impact the entire family, not just the person who has experienced the hearing loss. 

Implantation is not a “quick-fix” for hearing issues.  Wearing an implant is a lifetime commitment requiring extensive equipment maintenance and rehabilitative follow-up.

While generally considered safe, implantation is surgery and certain risks are present with any type of surgery.  As a result, the procedure will not be medically appropriate for everyone. 

In addition to your surgeon, an implant team may include medical specialists, audiologists, speech and language pathologists, educators, psychologists and counselors.  These individuals each play a role in determining the likelihood of benefit as well as a candidates overall readiness for the procedure.

After the surgery, the team will be involved with activating the implant, ensuring that it is processing stimuli correctly, and helping the recipient learn how to interpret the implant’s signals.