Generally speaking, cochlear implants are for patients with severe-to-profound, sensorineural hearing loss. There are approximately 500,000 patients in the USA with severe-to-profound hearing loss. Cochlear implants are only recommended after the patient has tried the most powerful and most appropriately fit hearing aids, and has not shown sufficient benefit from hearing aids. Cochlear implants are devices that are "permanently" surgically implanted into the inner ear.

Cochlear implantation is a surgical procedure performed by otolaryngology surgeons. Cochlear implants have been FDA approved for almost two decades and the advances and improvements in the technology have been amazing. The Food and Drug Association (FDA) and the American Medical Association (AMA) recognize cochlear implants as safe and effective treatment for severe-to-profound sensorineural hearing loss. Most insurance programs pay (at least partly) for cochlear implantation. Your audiologist, your otolaryngology surgeon and their appropriate office staff are experienced at managing insurance issues.

Appropriately identified adults as well as profoundly deaf children (starting at age 12 months) can be implanted. Research demonstrates that the earlier a deaf child is implanted, the better the long term result will be with respect to speech and language development. Following surgery, rehabilitation is necessary, as the child must learn to associate the sound signals with normal sounds. Regarding deaf adults, research suggests that adults who receive cochlear implants are less lonely, have less social anxiety, are more independent, have increased social and interpersonal skills, and of course, they hear better with the cochlear implant!

Cochlear implants are utilized in the patient who cannot benefit from hearing aids. The cochlear implant is a device used to bypass the nonfunctional inner ear and converts sound into electrical impulses that directly stimulate the cochlear nerve. The implant consists of an external portion comprised of a microphone, sound processor, and external coil and an internal portion that must be surgically implanted. The surgical procedure involves the placement of an internal receiver beneath the skin behind the ear, and stimulating electrode array, which is inserted into the cochlea or inner ear. The electrical signals are manipulated and controlled by the audiologist to maximize speech perception. The brain interprets these electrical impulses as sound. Again, not all patients are surgical candidates, and not all cochlear implant recipients receive the same benefit.

It is important to note that patients who receive cochlear implants must undergo extensive candidacy testing while wearing traditional hearing aids. There are very specific speech intelligibility tests used for adults, and many different speech/language/auditory tests that must be administered for young children. An experienced cochlear implant audiologist would be able to administer these tests, and determine if a patient qualifies for a cochlear implant.

For information about the Austin Cochlear Implant Support Group, please visit the following website: www.austincisupport.weebly.com