Cochlear Implants

 


A cochlear implant (CI) is a surgically implanted electronic device that helps a person with severe to profound hearing loss to perceive the sensation of sound.

 

While hearing aids are the most commonly used solution for people with hearing loss, some people are better served by cochlear implants. An audiologist can help you find out if you might be a candidate for a cochlear implant.

 

How Does it Work?

 

The cochlear implant bypasses the damaged portions of the inner ear and directly stimulates the auditory nerve.

 

Signals generated by the implant are sent up the auditory nerve to the brain, which recognizes the signals as sound.

 

There are two parts to the Cochlear Implant, the internal portion which is composed of the electrodes and receiver, and the external portion which is called the transmitter (or processor). The internal receiver takes the coded electrical signals from the external transmitter and delivers them to the array of electrodes that have been surgically inserted in the cochlea.

Candidacy

 

An audiologist will determine your candidacy based on your audiometric findings. A diagnostic hearing test will be performed as well as specialized speech testing. Here are some of the guidelines: ​

 

    • Individuals 12 months of age or older
    • Moderate to profound sensorineural hearing loss in both ears
    • Limited benefit from amplification defined by preoperative test scores of ≤ 50% sentence recognition in the ear to be implanted and ≤60% in the opposite ear or binaurally ​ ​

 

At Hearing Evaluation Services we are proud to be a part of Cochlear America’s, Cochlear Provider Network (CPN). As a CPN, an Audiologist will:

 

    • Determine candidacy identification & evaluation
    • Educate the candidate and their family on the entire cochlear implant journey
    • Refer to a CPN surgeon dedicated to hearing implants
    • Initial activation programming
    • Follow-up programming and auditory rehabilitation
    • Support and education

Is a Cochlear Implant Right for You?

 

If you’re an adult with moderate to profound hearing loss in both ears and are not receiving enough benefit from hearing aids, you may be a candidate for a cochlear implant. Please contact us for an evaluation or to learn more.