Cochlear implants for children

Cochlear implants are designed to help children with severe to profound hearing loss. Being able to hear opens up a world of possibilities for children and parents. Find out how.

Su family laugh during an outing

What you'll find on this page

  • See how a child’s life has been transformed by a cochlear implant
  • Find out if your child qualifies for a cochlear implant
  • Learn about the benefits of cochlear implants

For children with severe to profound hearing loss, a cochlear implant can provide the potential for them to attend a dance class, listen to music, ride a bike and more, just like Raelyn. Watch her story below.

“When Raelyn was first diagnosed with profound hearing loss, our family was saddened, and we didn’t know what to expect for Raelyn’s future. And then we found out about cochlear implants... Now I feel like she is unstoppable. Her future is looking very bright.”

- Jeanette H. - mother of Nucleus® recipient

Does your child qualify for a cochlear implant?

Cochlear implants are approved for children with severe to profound hearing loss in both ears.*

  • Children 9 - 24 months: Profound sensorineural hearing loss in both ears and limited benefit from hearing aids in both ears.*
  • Children 2 - 17 years: Severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss in both ears with limited benefit from hearing aids. To qualify, speech scores while using hearing aids need to be less than or equal to 30% correct on MLNT test.

Note: Wearing hearing aids first is a necessary step in the evaluation process for a cochlear implant.

A hearing health professional who specializes in all types of hearing technology, including implantable hearing solutions, will be able to advise if your child may benefit from a cochlear implant.

Will your child benefit from a cochlear implant?

Research and decades of experience demonstrate that cochlear implants often provide improved:

  • Auditory awareness of sounds at levels within the normal range of hearing1
  • Speech understanding, sound clarity and language skills1
  • Hearing in noisy environments2
  • Quality of life2
  • Educational outcomes3 with the potential to attend a mainstream school

Introducing the Cochlear™ Nucleus® System

Your child is unique and their hearing solution should be, too. With our Cochlear Nucleus Implant System, we help your child hear their best with more choices of wearing options, wireless connectivity solutions and personalized services. This means providing your child with an innovative cochlear implant solution that includes the world's most reliable implants3-5, Apple® and Android™ device compatibility and proven hearing performance for a lifetime.

Get a free guide
ConnectWithUs.jpg

Want to learn more?

We can send you a free informational guide on cochlear implants today. A good next step is to visit a hearing health professional who specializes in hearing technology that will be able to advise if you may benefit from a cochlear implant.

Request now

Find a Hearing Implant Specialist near you

Connect-with-a-mentor-decision.jpg

Connect with a mentor

Connect with someone who has experienced a hearing journey similar to yours.

See mentors

More information

M image

Early intervention for children

If your child has hearing loss, getting treatment sooner rather than later has many benefits, including laying the foundation for fundamental language and social skills.

Read more
M image

Types and causes of hearing loss

Understanding the types and causes of hearing loss will help you feel more comfortable and confident that you are making the right choice for you or your loved one.

Read more
ID49-implant_prep_procedures.jpg

Implant preparation and procedures

Take your first steps to getting a hearing implant and the full life it can enable. Prepare yourself for the journey ahead by knowing what to expect with the procedure.

Read more

Disclaimer

Please seek advice from your health professional about treatments for hearing loss. Outcomes may vary, and your health professional will advise you about the factors which could affect your outcome. Always read the instructions for use. Not all products are available in all countries. Please contact your local Cochlear representative for product information.

Views expressed are those of the individual. Consult your health professional to determine if you are a candidate for Cochlear technology.

For a full list of Cochlear’s trademarks, please visit our Terms of Use page.

Apple, iPhone, iPad and iPod touch are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.

Android and Google Play are registered trademarks of Google Inc.

*In the United States, the cochlear implant system is intended for use in children 9 to 24 months of age who have bilateral profound sensorineural deafness and demonstrate limited benefit from appropriate binaural hearing aids. Children two years of age or older may demonstrate severe to profound hearing loss bilaterally. In Canada, the cochlear implant system is intended for use in children 12 to 24 months of age who have bilateral profound sensorineural deafness and demonstrate limited benefit from appropriate binaural hearing aids. Children two years of age or older may demonstrate severe to profound hearing loss bilaterally.

References

  1. Novak MA, Firszt JB, Rotz LA, et al. Cochlear implants in infants and toddlers. Ann Otol Rhino Laryngol Suppl 2000;185:46-49.
  2. 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.
  3. Cochlear Nucleus Implant Reliability Report. Volume 16 | December 2017. D1175804. Cochlear Ltd; 2018.
  4. Hearing Implant Reliability Reporting | MED-EL [Internet]. Medel.com. 2018 [cited 6 March 2018]. Available from: http://www.medel.com/au/reliability-reporting/
  5. 2017 Global Implant Reliability Report. 027-N025-02. Advanced Bionics AG and affiliates.; 2017.