Benefits

Benefits and Expectations with Cochlear Implants

The potential benefits of a cochlear implant represent a world of opportunity. As with most types of treatment, results vary from person to person. Many people with cochlear implants speak more clearly than they did before their implant. Many can understand speech more easily without relying on lipreading, and use the telephone effectively. A cochlear implant enables many to enjoy sounds of nature like rain, and birds singing, as well as to hear important sounds like doorbells, oncoming traffic, and alarms. For children, cochlear implants offer the opportunity to develop age appropriate speech and spoken language skills, as well as the potential to communicate easier and more effectively at school, at home and in other situations.

Who can benefit

Cochlear implants are designed for adults and children with severe and profound sensorineural hearing losses in both ears that aren’t getting enough benefit from hearing aids. If you have difficulty following conversations without lipreading, struggle to hear in groups or noisy places, cannot use the telephone effectively, feel socially isolated, or feel limited because of your hearing loss, you may be a candidate for an implant.

A cochlear implant center – a facility that specializes in cochlear implants - can determine if you are a candidate, following an evaluation process. A team approach is used to determine your candidacy and readiness. An audiologist evaluates the type and degree of your hearing loss, the functional benefits you receive from your hearing aids, and advises you of the potential benefits to be gained from a cochlear implant. A surgeon rules out medical contraindications with a physical examination, an MRI or a CT scan, and medical record review. As with any surgery, a cochlear implant surgery carries some risks that will be reviewed and discussed as they pertain to your individual situation. In addition, you may be referred to other professionals as part of the evaluation process, as well as to people who are cochlear implant recipients themselves.

If you’ve been told in the past that you’re not a candidate, you may want to consider following up again with a cochlear implant center. Hearing loss changes over time and the criteria for cochlear implant candidacy has also changed over the years. Today, many more people can benefit from cochlear implants than was the case in years past. Advances in the technology, experience with cochlear implants and substantial evidence proving their safety and effectiveness has led to a broadening of the criteria for candidacy.

What to expect

Many aspects of your situation will be considered in order to determine what you may be able to expect with an implant. Factors that may influence your personal outcome include: the age when your hearing loss began, how long you’ve had hearing loss, the age you will receive your implant, your inner ear condition, your general medical health, your support system, and others. The effort you put into learning to use your implant can also influence your progress. Hearing performance typically improves gradually over time and with practice, as your brain adjusts to hearing with the implant. Rehabilitation programs are available at cochlear implant centers, and many resources are also available for you to practice at home. During your evaluation process, these considerations and others will be discussed with you in order to help you understand what benefits you may expect, and how to maximize your potential with your implant.