Do you have trouble following conversations when you’re out at a busy restaurant like BB’s Restaurant and Bar? Have you tried using hearing aids to treat your hearing loss with no success? If so, you may be a candidate for a cochlear implant.
How it Differs from Hearing Aids
A cochlear implant is different from a hearing aid in several ways.
- Hearing aids amplify sounds, but still rely on the ear’s natural hearing ability. Cochlear implants use electrical currents to stimulate the auditory nerve. This bypasses parts of the ear that no longer work.
- Hearing aids are worn behind or in the ear. While the external component of cochlear implants rest behind the ear, the internal component is surgically implanted behind the ear and in the cochlea, which is part of the inner ear.
Who is a Good Candidate?
Cochlear implants are not for everyone and the criteria for receiving one can differ depending on the provider. In general, this is the criteria for different age groups:
Adults:
- Moderate to profound sensorineural hearing loss in both ears
- Difficulty understanding speech even with the use of hearing aids
Children 2-17:
- Severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss in both ears
- Limited benefit from hearing aids
- Speech score less than or equal to 30% of the Multisyllabic Lexical Neighborhood Test (MLNT)
Children and Infants 9-24 months:
- Profound sensorineural hearing loss in both ears
- Limited benefit from hearing aids
Benefits of Cochlear Implants
The biggest benefit of cochlear implants is that they help you understand speech and stay connected to those you love. This improves your quality of life and makes it easier to enjoy social activities that hearing loss made more difficult.
The biggest benefit for children is that cochlear implants give them the ability to meet developmental milestones they otherwise could not have given their struggles to hear. These benefits are more noticeable the sooner a child is treated.
Things to Keep in Mind
While cochlear implants can help you understand certain sounds and speech, they won’t restore your hearing back to normal. It’s important to have realistic expectations for what the device can and cannot do for you before you have the procedure.
Similarly, your cochlear implant will not be activated for several weeks after surgery to allow time for the site to heal. Once it is activated, you will need to go through a period of rehabilitation which involves training your brain to understand sounds heard through the device.
If you have additional questions or wish to schedule an appointment, contact The McCoy Institute today.
