Do you qualify for a cochlear implant?
Do you qualify for a cochlear implant?
Cochlear implants work differently than hearing aids. Hearing aids help many people with hearing loss by making sounds louder. However, cochlear implants can be a more effective option for those with more significant hearing loss; specifically moderate to profound hearing loss in adults. For some people, using a hearing aid(s) with a severe to profound hearing loss can be like listening to a loud, badly tuned radio. You may hear parts of what is being said and it may be loud enough, but the words are not clear.
Note: Wearing hearing aids first is a necessary step in the evaluation process for a cochlear implant.
Do you qualify for a cochlear implant?
Cochlear implants work differently than hearing aids. Hearing aids help many people with hearing loss by making sounds louder. However, cochlear implants can be a more effective option for those with more significant hearing loss; specifically moderate to profound hearing loss in adults. For some people, using a hearing aid(s) with a severe to profound hearing loss can be like listening to a loud, badly tuned radio. You may hear parts of what is being said and it may be loud enough, but the words are not clear.
Note: Wearing hearing aids first is a necessary step in the evaluation process for a cochlear implant.
Lifestyle and health benefits of Cochlear Implants
Lifestyle and health benefits of Cochlear Implants
Hearing your friends and family in noisy situations is especially difficult for those with hearing loss. You do not need to wait until you lose all your hearing to benefit from a cochlear implant. You can hear better, sooner and experience health benefits with improved hearing outcomes.
In fact, adult cochlear implant users demonstrated a significant improvement in hearing in noise when compared to their hearing aid performance.1
*The Hearing in Noise Test (HINT) measures a person’s ability to hear speech in quiet and at a normal conversational level.
Lifestyle and health benefits of Cochlear Implants
Hearing your friends and family in noisy situations is especially difficult for those with hearing loss. You do not need to wait until you lose all your hearing to benefit from a cochlear implant. You can hear better, sooner and experience health benefits with improved hearing outcomes.
In fact, adult cochlear implant users demonstrated a significant improvement in hearing in noise when compared to their hearing aid performance.1
*The Hearing in Noise Test (HINT) measures a person’s ability to hear speech in quiet and at a normal conversational level.
Cochlear implants can help you connect with the world around you
Cochlear implants can help you connect with the world around you
- Cochlear implants help improve speech understanding, sound clarity and language skills4 and hearing in noise5
- Cochlear implants help improve quality of life5 and employment opportunities6
- Cochlear implants will help you experience less fatigue after long periods of listening7 and experience better sound localizations8
Cochlear implants can help you connect with the world around you
- Cochlear implants help improve speech understanding, sound clarity and language skills4 and hearing in noise5
- Cochlear implants help improve quality of life5 and employment opportunities6
- Cochlear implants will help you experience less fatigue after long periods of listening7 and experience better sound localizations8
How the Cochlear™ Nucleus® Implant System works
How the Cochlear™ Nucleus® Implant System works
Cochlear implants are designed to mimic the function of a healthy inner ear or cochlea. They replace the function of damaged sensory hair cells inside the cochlea to help provide clearer sound than what hearing aids can provide. Damaged or missing sensory hair cells do not regenerate, so this type of hearing loss doesn't improve without treatment.
All our implants are designed with performance and preservation of the cochlear structures in mind.
Our broad range of implants and electrodes allow your surgeon to choose the best one for your level and type of hearing loss, cochlea anatomy and the surgeon’s preference. There are two primary components of the Cochlear™ Nucleus® System: the external sound processor and the implant that is surgically placed underneath the skin attached to the electrode array that is inserted in the cochlea.
How the Cochlear™ Nucleus® Implant System works
Cochlear implants are designed to mimic the function of a healthy inner ear or cochlea. They replace the function of damaged sensory hair cells inside the cochlea to help provide clearer sound than what hearing aids can provide. Damaged or missing sensory hair cells do not regenerate, so this type of hearing loss doesn't improve without treatment.
All our implants are designed with performance and preservation of the cochlear structures in mind.
Our broad range of implants and electrodes allow your surgeon to choose the best one for your level and type of hearing loss, cochlea anatomy and the surgeon’s preference. There are two primary components of the Cochlear™ Nucleus® System: the external sound processor and the implant that is surgically placed underneath the skin attached to the electrode array that is inserted in the cochlea.
Watch the video to see how it works
Watch the video to see how it works
Watch the video to see how it works
Engage with the moments that matter and enjoy the comfort of the world’s smallest and lightest behind-the-ear cochlear implant sound processor.9 Designed to make communicating with people easier, the Nucleus® 8 Sound Processor delivers our latest hearing technology which automatically adjusts to your listening environment.10-13 Ready for next-generation Bluetooth LE Audio technology*, it will make it easy to bring sound to you - in more places and from more devices than ever before.12,14-15
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Watch the video to learn more about the Nucleus® 8 Sound Processor
Watch the video to learn more about the Nucleus® 8 Sound Processor
Watch the video to learn more about the Nucleus® 8 Sound Processor
The Kanso® 2 Sound Processor is the smallest and lightest rechargeable off-the-ear solution18 available that has built-in technology offering direct streaming, control and connectivity with a compatible Apple or Android device.* It is designed for simplicity with an auto on/off feature, or you can just tap the sound processor to turn it on and off; no buttons to push.
The Kanso 2 Sound Processor features an innovative, built-in rechargeable battery that provides the convenience of helping you hear your best all day and on the go, while delivering proven hearing performance.19
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Watch the video to learn more about the Kanso® 2 Sound Processor
Watch the video to learn more about the Kanso® 2 Sound Processor
Watch the video to learn more about the Kanso® 2 Sound Processor
Benefits of bimodal hearing
Benefits of bimodal hearing
Discover more natural hearing20, improved speech understanding21-23 and perception of music24 when you combine the benefits of a hearing aid in one ear and a cochlear implant in the other. Your ears work as a team, so using both ears can help the brain to process and understand sounds better than using just one ear.24
Cochlear™ Sound Processors can be worn with any hearing aid, so no matter what hearing aid you’re using, you’ll get the benefits of hearing with both ears. Delivering a better hearing experience, a bimodal solution can help you locate where sound is coming from, enhance your music appreciation, and enjoy an improved quality of life than with hearing aids alone.26-28
Benefits of bimodal hearing
Discover more natural hearing20, improved speech understanding21-23 and perception of music24 when you combine the benefits of a hearing aid in one ear and a cochlear implant in the other. Your ears work as a team, so using both ears can help the brain to process and understand sounds better than using just one ear.24
Cochlear™ Sound Processors can be worn with any hearing aid, so no matter what hearing aid you’re using, you’ll get the benefits of hearing with both ears. Delivering a better hearing experience, a bimodal solution can help you locate where sound is coming from, enhance your music appreciation, and enjoy an improved quality of life than with hearing aids alone.26-28
Mythbusters
Affording a cochlear implant is a concern for many. The good news is that, unlike hearing aids, cochlear implants may be covered by your insurance plan, including Medicare and typically Medicaid. Contact your insurance company or local Hearing Implant Specialist to determine your eligibility for coverage and to see how much a cochlear implant will cost you.
Cochlear implant surgery is not brain surgery. The surgeon makes a small incision behind the ear, places the implant underneath the skin, delicately threads the electrodes into the cochlea and closes the incision site. In most cases, you can return home later the same day and can get back to your normal activities within a few days.
Cochlear implants have proven to be a successful solution for those who are in their 80s and even 90s. It's never too late to regain access to the sounds you're missing.
Many people believe you have to be completely deaf to get a cochlear implant. That is simply not true. In fact, you may be able to hear some sounds (like a baby crying or dog barking) even without hearing aids and still qualify for a cochlear implant. The moment you start struggling to hear and understand speech with your hearing aids in noise is the moment you should seek further evaluation by your local Hearing Implant Specialist.
A cochlear implant is designed to last a lifetime. You will be able to upgrade your sound processor as new technology becomes available while the internal components remain intact – typically no additional surgery required.
The process of getting a cochlear implant is step by step. First, start with being evaluated by a Hearing Implant Specialist to determine whether a cochlear implant may be a solution for you. From there, you will have the support you need to help you reach your hearing goals. The steps you take could make all the difference in how well you hear and participate in everyday life.
2. Lupo JE, Biever A, Kelsall DC. Comprehensive hearing aid assessment in adults with bilateral severe-profound sensorineural hearing loss who present for Cochlear implant evaluation. Am J Otolaryngol. 2020;41(2):102300. doi:10.1016/j.amjoto.2019.102300
3. Balkany T, Hodges A, Menapace C, et al. Nucleus Freedom North American clinical trial. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2007;136(5):757-762.
4. Novak MA, Firszt JB, Rotz LA, et al. Cochlear implants in infants and toddlers. Ann Otol Rhino Laryngol Suppl 2000;185:46-49.
5. Hirschfelder A, Gräbel S, Olze H. The impact of cochlear implantation on quality of life: The role of audiologic performance and variables. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2008 Mar;138(3): 357-362.
6. Wyatt JR, Niparko JK, Rothman M, deLissovoy G. Cost Utility of the Multichannel Cochlear Implant in 258 Profoundly Deaf Individuals. Laryngoscope.1996;106:816–821.
7. Arndt, S., Laszig, R., Aschendorff, A., Hassepass, F., Beck, R., & Wesarg, T. (2017). Cochlear implant treatment of patients with single-sided deafness or asymmetric hearing loss. Hno, 65(February), 98–108. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00106-016-0297-5 Dorbeau, C., Galvin, J., Fu, Q. J., Legris, E., Marx, M., & Bakhos, D. (2018). Binaural Perception in Single-Sided Deaf Cochlear Implant Users with Unrestricted or Restricted Acoustic Hearing in the Non-Implanted Ear. Audiology and Neurotology, 23(3), 187–197. https://doi.org/10.1159/000490879 Sullivan, C. B., Al-Qurayshi, Z., Zhu, V., Liu, A., Dunn, C., Gantz, B. J., & Hansen, M. R. (2020). Long-term audiologic outcomes after cochlear implantation for single-sided deafness. Laryngoscope, 130(7), 1805–1811. https://doi.org/10.1002/lary.28358
8. Farinetti A, Roman S, Mancini J, et al. Quality of life in bimodal hearing users (unilateral cochlear implants and contralateral hearing aids). Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol (2015 Nov); 272, 3209–3215.
9. Cochlear Limited. D1190805 Processor Size Comparison. May 2022.
10. Mauger SJ, Warren C, Knight M, Goorevich M, Nel E. Clinical evaluation of the Nucleus 6 cochlear implant system: performance improvements with SmartSound iQ. International Journey Of Audiology. 2014, Aug; 53(8): 564-576. [Sponsored by Cochlear]
11. Mauger S, Jones M, Nel E, Del Dot J. Clinical outcomes with the Kanso™ off- the-ear cochlear implant sound processor. International Journal Of Audiology. 2017, Jan 9; 1-10. [Sponsored by Cochlear]
12. Wolfe J, Neumann S, Marsh M, Schafer E, Lianos L, Gilden J, O'Neill L, Arkis P, Menapace C, Nel E, Jones M. Benefits of Adaptive Signal Processing in a Commercially Available Cochlear Implant Sound Processor. Otol Neurotol. 2015 Aug;36(7):1181-90. [Sponsored by Cochlear]
13. Cochlear Limited. D1864200 SCAN-X Design Description. Apr 2022.
14. Cochlear Limited. D1631375 Nucleus 8 Sound Processor Product Definition
15. Wolfe J, et al. Evaluation of a wireless audio streaming accessory to improve mobile telephone performance of cochlear implant users. International Journal of Audiology. 2016;55(2):75-82
16. Cochlear Limited. D1964109 Clinical Investigation Report CLTD5804. A Pre-Marketing, Prospective, Multi-Site, Open Label, Within-Subject, Feasibility, Interventional Study of Speech Perception with experienced adult cochlear implant recipients using the CP1110 Sound Processor and compared with the CP1000 Sound Processor. Feb 2022.
17. Hunn N. Introducing Bluetooth® LE Audio [Internet]. [cited 2022 Jan]. Available from: https://www.bluetooth.com/learn-about-bluetooth/recent-enhancements/le-audio/
18. Cochlear Ltd. D1190805 Sound Processor Size Comparison. 2020; December. Data on file.
19. Cochlear Ltd. D1710313 CP1150 Battery Life Coverage Technical Report. 2020; Mar. Data on file.
20. Farinetti A, Roman S, Mancini J, et al. Quality of life in bimodal hearing users (unilateral cochlear implants and contralateral hearing aids). Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol (2015 Nov); 272, 3209–3215.
21. Ching TY, Incerti P, Hill M. Binaural benefits for adults who use hearing aids and cochlear implants in opposite ears. Ear Hear (2004 Feb); 25, 9–21.
22. Potts LG, Skinner MW, Litovsky RA., et al. Recognition and localization of speech by adult cochlear implant recipients wearing a digital hearing aid in the nonimplanted ear (bimodal hearing). J Am Acad Audiol (2009 Jun); 20, 353–373.
23. Morera C, Cavalle L, Manrique M, et al. Contralateral hearing aid use in cochlear implanted patients: Multicenter study of bimodal benefit. Acta Otolaryngol (2012 Jun); 132, 1084–1094.
24. Sucher CM, McDermott HJ. Bimodal stimulation: benefits for music perception and sound quality. Cochlear Implants International. (2009 Jan); 1;10(S1):96-9.
25. Litovsky RY, Johnstone PM, Godar SP. Benefits of bilateral cochlear implants and/or hearing aids in children. Int J Audiol. 2006; 45(Suppl): S78-91.
26. Sucher CM, McDermott HJ. Bimodal stimulation: benefits for music perception and sound quality. Cochlear Implants International. (2009 Jan); 1;10(S1):96-9.
27. Ching TY, Incerti P, Hill M. Binaural benefits for adults who use hearing aids and cochlear implants in opposite ears. Ear Hear (2004 Feb); 25, 9-21.
28. Potts LG, Skinner MW, Litovsky RA., et al. Recognition and localization of speech by adult cochlear implant recipients wearing a digital hearing aid in the nonimplanted ear (bimodal hearing). J Am Acad Audiol (2009 Jun); 20, 353–373.
29. Cochlear Limited D1190805 Processor Size Comparison.