Cochlear implants are medical devices which require surgical placement, unlike a hearing aid, which is placed easily by the wearer inside the ear. Cochlear implants also work differently than a typical hearing aid, which amplifies sound as it enters the ear. A cochlear implant directly effects the nerves associated with hearing which creates the sense of sound. These implants do not restore hearing loss or fix damage to the part of the inner ear which has caused the hearing loss, but instead help a person who is hard of hearing to or deaf to perceive the sensation of sound by.

Whether you or a family member are the right patient for a cochlear implant will depend on a variety of factors and guidelines. Only a highly-skilled specialist can determine if a cochlear implant is the right solution to hearing loss or deafness.

Children with hearing loss as young as one year old may be candidates for a cochlear implant. The best time to fit a young child or toddler with an implant is as soon as a possible. Hearing loss in children is taken very seriously, and left untreated can have lasting impacts on a child’s development. After the implant is placed, children typically have to undergo therapy with a speech therapist for the best outcome.

• Children who are good candidates for a cochlear implant when:
• They have significant hearing loss in one or both ears
• Are generally healthy and able to undergo surgery
• Have tried hearing aids in the past without success or are not candidates for hearing aids
• Have a supportive family who is educated and understands the use of the cochlear implant and the effects of the implant
• Have access to a speech language therapist for ongoing support

For adults, a cochlear implant can happen at any time in their lives, regardless of impact to language development. However, adults who had later in life loss, and had previously developed language skills, have more success and may not need additional therapy.

• Adults who may be candidates for a cochlear implant:
• Have sufficient hearing loss in one or both ears
• Have tried hearing aids without success
• Have the desire to hear better and better communicate or experience the world around them through speaking and listening
• Are healthy enough for surgery

A cochlear implant has two parts which are connected by a strong magnet: and internal part which is surgically implanted, and an external piece that sits over the ear.

First, sound waves or signals are gathered by the external receiver, where it is digitized and sent to the internal part by way of magnetic coupling. The internal part of the implant is made of electrodes and is placed under the skin and sits on the temporal bone. Sound is received and converted into electrical pulses that are sent to the electrodes deep in the inner ear to stimulate the auditory nerve. The signal is sent through the nerve to the brain, where the pulses are translated to sound.

Find out if you’re a candidate for a cochlear implant. One of our physicians will determine your eligibility through a series tests including hearing tests, medical and imaging tests.

Adults must understand the follow up commitment and care required of a cochlear implant. Some adults may need speech or language therapy or counseling to help them manage new sensory data. Expectations for success include understanding the successes and possible limitations of a cochlear implant.

Cochlear implant surgery at University Surgical Center is done with a highly qualified team of clinical care givers who support your surgeon. The surgical placement is done under general anesthesia, while the patient is all the way asleep. The procedure takes up two hours for each implant, and patients will go home the same day.

The hearing will not be restored immediately. After the internal component is healed you will be asked to return to your doctor in four to six weeks for the fitting and placement of the external piece. The specialist will begin mapping the internal process to ensure that the right signals are being sent and that the sound is interpreted correctly. This moment can be one to celebrate as many people have been living without adequate hearing for some time. It’s often an emotional moment for patients and their families because this will be the first time they get to hear a loved one’s voice for the first time ever, or for the first time in a very long time.

For more information on cochlear implants and to find out if you or a family member qualify for this life-changing device, contact University Surgical Center at (407) 677-0066. Review our list of physicians today and make an appointment.