Cochlear implants are electronic devices that are surgically implanted in a person’s skull. These devices work by bypassing the damaged parts of the ear and directly stimulating the auditory nerve to produce sound.
With a cochlear implant, people with severe hearing loss can benefit from improved sound quality. While cochlear implants do not guarantee to cure hearing loss completely, they are still hugely beneficial for people who are born deaf or with severe hearing impairments.
We provide the specialized evaluation needed to determine if a cochlear implant is needed as well as the programming of the implant.
If results suggest you are a candidate, we refer you to a specialty ear surgeon for the implant. After the surgery, we will activate and program the device and guide you in the process of getting your hearing back.
How does a cochlear implant work?
A cochlear implant works by bypassing damaged portions of the ear and directly stimulating the auditory nerve. Signals generated by the cochlear implant are sent by way of the auditory nerve to the brain, which recognizes these signals as sound.
Benefits of Cochlear Implants
A cochlear implant can provide a person with severe hearing loss the ability to perceive speech, which is an important aspect of communication.
Cochlear implants also improve the quality and volume of sound as well – providing people who are deaf or severely hearing impaired access not only to understanding what others say but also to sensing different types of sounds encountered at home, school, or at work.
Below are some other benefits of cochlear implants:
- Improved speech understanding
- Recognition of environmental sounds
- Ability to hear in a noisy environment
- Improved sound localization
- Ability to hear television, music, and phone calls
Who can get cochlear implants?
Cochlear implants are typically for patients with significant hearing loss. They can occasionally be utilized by patients with mild to moderate hearing loss as well.
Adults who have lost most or all of their hearing later in life can also benefit from cochlear implants. With therapy, they can learn to associate signals from the implant with sounds they are familiar with.
Are cochlear implants safe?
Yes – FDA has approved cochlear implants to be used by children and adults.
Cochlear Implant Eligibility
To be eligible for a cochlear implant, a patient must have:
- Severe hearing loss
- Limited benefit from hearing aids as determined by specialized hearing tests carried out by an audiologist
- No medical conditions or risk factors that increase the risks associated with cochlear implant surgery
Cochlear Implants for Severe Hearing Loss
Cochlear implants can help restore hearing in patients with severe hearing loss who no longer find hearing aids to be working for them.
Cochlear implants may be placed in one or both ears. Implanting these devices in both ears is starting to be used more often to treat bilateral severe hearing loss. Infants and children who are still learning how to speak are stellar candidates for cochlear implant surgery in both ears.
Cochlear Implants for Children
Cochlear implants work best with kids because their hearing is still developing. With a cochlear implant, hard-of-hearing children can learn to understand speech and build vocabulary.
Studies have shown that children who are fitted with cochlear implants before the age of 18 months have greater chances of hearing improvement.
How does someone receive a cochlear implant?
The surgery for a cochlear implant is done in a clinic or hospital. The procedure lasts between two to four hours.
A patient will be given medication (general anesthesia) during the procedure. The surgeon will make a cut behind the ear and opens the mastoid bone to place the cochlear implant.
Just like any other invasive procedure, getting surgery may pose some risks. However, the surgery for a cochlear implant is quite simple compared to other complicated surgeries. Most patients feel well enough and are sent home a few hours or a day after the surgery.
What to expect after cochlear implant surgery?
After getting a cochlear implant, a patient needs to get used to interpreting sounds created by the implants.
Initially, the sounds may sound a little bit weird or strange. Audiologists or speech-language pathologists can help patients get used to cochlear implants.
Audiologists won’t activate the cochlear implants for about two to six weeks after the surgery. This is to give the surgery site ample time to heal.
How long do cochlear implants last?
For most patients, the sound quality of cochlear implants will continually improve over the first year.
Cochlear implants are a lifelong commitment. Patients will usually be set up for a batch of programming appointments and/or therapy starting one month after surgery.
Cochlear Implants Massachusetts
The results of cochlear implant surgery vary from person to person. Some factors that can affect the result of cochlear implantation include the length of time between hearing loss and cochlear implant surgery, age when hearing was lost, and type of hearing loss.
Atlantic Hearing Care offers cochlear implant consultations for patients who would like to know more about this type of hearing solution.
Whether you are considering hearing aids or cochlear implants, we can help you achieve better hearing.
Call us today to schedule an appointment! We have clinics located in Swampscott and Peabody, MA.
