Cochlear implants can improve hearing for adults and children. The device works best for adults with moderate-to-profound hearing loss and children with severe-to-profound hearing loss.
Not everyone with hearing loss is a candidate for cochlear implants. Adults must meet certain criteria for a cochlear implant. You might qualify if you:
Are 18 years or older
Are committed to attending regular programming visits and aural rehabilitation sessions
Are motivated to incorporate listening in daily communication
Do not benefit from a hearing aid or other prosthetic communication device
Do not have a medical condition that puts you at high risk for surgery
Have moderate-to-profound sensorineural hearing loss
Have no medical contraindications
The first step is to meet with your hearing care team for an evaluation. During this appointment you:
Complete a questionnaire about your expectations, auditory awareness and attitudes
Complete testing to evaluate your hearing and current hearing aid(s)
Meet with an audiologist and a surgeon
Review your medical history with your doctor
Talk with your doctor about the cochlear implant process
Undergo a physical examination
Children and families must also meet certain criteria for cochlear implants. Your child could be a good candidate for surgery if they:
Are 12 months of age or older
Are enrolled in an educational program that emphasizes auditory and verbal skills development
Do not benefit from a hearing aid or prosthetic devices
Do not have a medical condition that makes surgery high risk
Have no medical contraindications
Have severe-to-profound sensorineural hearing loss in both ears
In addition, you and your family must:
Commit to attending regular programming visits and aural (re)habilitation sessions
Demonstrate a clear motivation to function within a general community that depends on spoken communication
You and your child will meet with the hearing care team for an evaluation. There are several steps to determine if a cochlear implant is right for your child. Your child will undergo:
Audiological evaluation, including hearing exam, speech perception test and hearing aid testing
Medical evaluation to including a physical exam and imaging
Speech and language evaluation
Psychological and social work visits
- 01.
Activation
You meet with your care team four to six weeks following surgery for about 3 hours. We examine the surgical site to make sure it is healed and then turn on your device and start initial programming.
- 02.
Two-week evaluation
At this 2-hour appointment, we adjust and fine-tune your device. We also might evaluate your auditory abilities.
- 03.
One-month evaluation
This 1-hour appointment includes continued programming of your device. We may also check your auditory abilities.
- 04.
Six-month evaluation
Expect to spend 1-2 hours with your audiologist on programming and auditory testing.
- 05.
One year evaluation
You spend 1-2 hours with your audiologist. We adjust and fine-tune your cochlear implant. We perform hearing tests. For children, we also evaluate speech and language.
- 06.
Rehabilitation
Your child works closely with an audiologist to learn how to hear with the device.
Options include:
Educational seminars
Informal meeting prior to surgery with a cochlear implant user
Informational talks
Picnics and scheduled events
If your child received a cochlear implant and attends school, we work with you and the school staff. We educate teachers about cochlear implants to improve communication between teachers and your child.
Learn more about cochlear implants:
American Family Children's Hospital Pediatric Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic
University Hospital Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic
Sauk Prairie Hospital Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic
Women and Children's Hospital Pediatric Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic