If your hearing loss is beyond the scope of what hearing aids can address, cochlear implants may be recommended. A cochlear implant is a surgically implanted device that consists of an internal and external device that bypasses the “broken parts” of the inner ear and sends the signal along the auditory nerve to the brain. Cochlear implants may be recommended for one or both ears, depending on the degree of hearing loss.
The guidelines to qualify for a cochlear implant vary between insurance providers, but include:
There are several factors that go into how well a person will hear with a cochlear implant and include, but are not limited to:
A cochlear implant is surgically implanted by a physician and we can take care of your activation (turning it on), mapping (programming it to your specific hearing loss), and trouble-shooting. For information about cochlear implants and to see if you may qualify, call our office and schedule a hearing test!
There are currently three FDA approved manufacturers of cochlear implants in the United States. Our audiologists are trained to program all three brands at Hearts for Hearing.
Mary experiences what it’s like to hear herself and others with the activation of her cochlear implant.
