AM I A COCHLEAR IMPLANT CANDIDATE?
How to know if Cochlear Implants are right for you?
Who is a candidate for a cochlear implant?
Cochlear implants are suitable for children and adults with significant hearing loss who gain limited benefit from hearing aids. If hearing aids no longer provide enough improvement, you may be a candidate.
Children can be implanted from as young as 10 months, giving them early access to voices and speech that are vital for language development. For adults, there is no upper age limit, if you are healthy enough for general anesthesia and assessed as a suitable candidate, age does not prevent implantation.
In short, cochlear implants provide access to sound for people of all ages when hearing aids are no longer effective.
Possible indicators for cochlear implant candidacy include:
- Having difficulty following conversations without lip-reading.
- Difficulty following most telephone conversations, especially when the voice is not a familiar one.
- Feeling isolated and limited, both socially and occupationally, because of hearing loss.
- A moderate/severe-to-profound hearing loss.
- Very little/no benefit from hearing aids.
- Difficulties with spoken language.
Cochlear Implants for Children
- Children with the above indicators may benefit, especially if hearing loss affects speech and language development
- Early intervention can significantly improve communication skills and social development
Cochlear Implants for Adults
- Adults who struggle with hearing despite hearing aids
- Experiencing difficulty at work, in social situations, or in daily conversations
- Seeking improved quality of life and social engagement
Beyond Hearing Aids
Cochlear implants can help restore your rich world of sound.
Unlike hearing aids, which simply amplify sound, cochlear implants use state-of-the-art technology to make sound clearer and easier to understand.
For many people with moderate-to-profound hearing loss, hearing aids are not enough to compensate for a damaged ear’s inability to hear adequately. Cochlear implants bypass the damaged part of your inner ear and sends sound signals directly to the brain via the hearing nerve.
As a result, most cochlear implant recipients demonstrate a remarkable improvement in their ability to understand speech, even in noisy environments, compared to hearing-aid wearers.
The Next Step in Your Hearing Journey
All around the world, hundreds of thousands of people benefit from cochlear implant technology. It provides hearing to those who have never heard and to those who suffer from moderate to profound hearing loss in one or both ears. Get your life back, restore your relationships and make the most of each day.