Adult Cochlear Implantations

Adult Cochlear Implant Information Packet

Candidate's Meeting Information

You may be a cochlear implant candidate if you have: 

• Moderately-Severe to profound hearing loss in both ears

• Difficulty understanding speech, even with high-power hearing aids

  • People who do well in quiet listing situations, but have significant problems when people are speaking softly or in the presence of background noise may be candidate's for the cochlear implant.

• There is no age limit!

• Cochlear implant candidacy criteria is continuing to change and expand.

• Cochlear implants are man-made electronic systems that attempt to substitute for a complex human sense, therefore limitations are inherent. See below for factors affecting performance.

 Factors that may affect performance of a cochlear implant include:

• Length and degree of deafness:  Adults who have had hearing loss for a shorter period of time may learn to understand speech with the cochlear implant more quickly and more easily than those who have had a significant hearing loss for a long period of time. Likewise, people who are still receiving some benefit from their hearing aids before surgery may adjust to the cochlear implant more quickly.
  
  
• Physiologic issues:  The status of the cochlea (inner ear of hearing), the presence of cochlear ossification (bony growth), and the presence of healthy auditory neural tissue can all affect a patient's ability to understand speech with a cochlear implant. These issues are discussed with each potential candidate.
   
• Motivation and commitment:  Successful benefit from a cochlear implant requires consistent use of the device, proper care of the equipment, and regular follow-up appointments at the implant center.