Most hearing loss can be successfully treated with the use of hearing devices such as hearing aids. However, individuals with severe or profound hearing may still have difficulties with even the world’s most sophisticated hearing devices. If you are one of these people, then you may benefit from a solution called a cochlear implant. Cochlear implants from our experienced audiologists use electrical signals to stimulate your auditory nerve and can help you get back to enjoying the sounds of life again.
What Is a Cochlear Implant?
Cochlear implants are hearing devices that are surgically placed under the skin behind your ear. There is an additional device that sits on or behind your ear, similar to a behind-the-ear hearing device, which picks up sound in your environment and communicates that to the implanted device under your skin.
Then, the implant stimulates the damaged areas of your inner ear that traditional hearing devices are unable to activate. This stimulation allows your hearing nerve to work as it was meant to work, therefore, giving your brain the ability to recognize environmental sounds and to understand speech clearly.
Of the patients who are recipients of cochlear implants, over 50% have shown to have an improved speech understanding and 100% have improvements in their quality of life.
What Is the Process & Timeline of Getting a Cochlear Implant?
First, you will need to make an appointment for a comprehensive hearing test. If your hearing test suggests that you may be a candidate for a cochlear implant, then an evaluation will be scheduled.
During your implant evaluation, your hearing will be tested further with and without hearing aids to determine how well you can hear sounds and how well you understand speech. If after the testing you are deemed a cochlear implant candidate, you will be connected with an Ear Nose and Throat physician to evaluate your overall health. When your overall health is cleared and you move forward with surgery, you will then return to our clinic to have your implant activated for the first time.
Lastly, and most importantly, you will work with the audiologist over multiple visits to refine your implant and to practice aural rehabilitation until you are fully successful with your ability to hear. To learn more details about the process of getting a cochlear implant, we encourage you to schedule an evaluation to determine candidacy.
