Hybrid™ Hearing solutions
If you can hear low-frequency sounds but cannot hear high-frequency sounds, a Cochlear™ Hybrid™ Hearing solution may be for you.
What you'll find on this page
- Determine who can benefit from Cochlear Hybrid Hearing*
- Understand insurance coverage of Cochlear Hybrid Hearing solutions
- Understand how Cochlear Hybrid Hearing works
You may be able to hear some low-frequency sounds like an airplane, drum or thunder, but not others like a child’s voice or a bird’s chirp that are high-frequency sounds. Often when experiencing hearing loss, the high-frequency sounds can be difficult to hear. And, because high-frequency sounds include consonants in words that help detect emotion and understand the meaning of what is being said, you may be missing out on much more.
Cochlear™ Hybrid™ Hearing solutions can enhance your natural low-frequency hearing before or after surgery, while providing access to the sounds you're missing for a richer experience.
Low-frequency sounds
High-frequency sounds
- Provide the general rhythm and framework of the sounds you hear
- Allow you to detect the vowel sounds in words, such as "ah" which convey the melody of speech
- Used to appreciate music
- Examples of low-frequency sounds: lawn mover, bass guitars, frog croaks
- Add clarity to the sounds you hear
- Allow you to perceive the consonant sounds, such as "sh" which enables you to differentiate words
- Makes music and nature sound richer, fuller and crisper
- Examples of high-frequency sounds: doorbells, whistles, bird chirps
Can You Benefit from a Cochlear Hybrid Hearing solution?
If you or your child can hear some low-frequency sounds before surgery, but cannot hear high-frequency sounds, a Cochlear Hybrid Hearing solution may be able to help. Hybrid Hearing solutions amplify the natural low-frequency hearing you may have after cochlear implant surgery, while providing access to the missing high-frequency sounds, for a richer hearing experience.
If you experience high-frequency or ski-slope hearing loss where you have normal to moderate low-frequency hearing loss, but severe to profound high-frequency hearing loss, the Cochlear™ Nucleus® Hybrid ™ Implant System may be a solution. The Hybrid System uses a special electrode** that is designed to preserve your low-frequency hearing.
Take a hearing quiz
Find out about your hearing loss and if Cochlear Hybrid Hearing may be right for you.
See what the experts have to say about the Cochlear Nucleus Hybrid Implant System**
Are Hybrid Hearing solutions covered by insurance?
Many insurance companies cover Hybrid Hearing solutions for those who qualify, including Medicare† and Medicaid††. Visit a Hearing Implant Specialist to see if a Hybrid Hearing solution may be able to help you hear the sounds you’re missing.
How Cochlear Hybrid Hearing works
Cochlear Hybrid Hearing* is a combination of two proven technologies. The first technology is acoustic amplification, similar to a hearing aid. An acoustic component can be attached to the end of the Nucleus® 8 Sound Processor to amplify the low-frequency natural hearing you may have after Cochlear implant surgery. At the same time, our innovative Cochlear implant technology provides access to the missing high-frequency sounds. Hybrid Hearing is compatible with our wide Nucleus Electrode portfolio.
For those with high-frequency hearing loss, the Cochlear Nucleus Hybrid Implant System features the first FDA-approved cochlear implant with a special electrode** that's designed to preserve your low-frequency hearing.
More information
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.
*The Acoustic Component should only be used when behavioral audiometric thresholds can be obtained and the recipient can provide feedback regarding sound quality.
**The Hybrid L24 Implant is approved in the US for adults 18 and older for unilateral use only.
†May be covered for patients that meet Medicare's current coverage criteria.
††Coverage for adult Medicaid recipients varies according to state specific guidelines. Contact your insurance company or local Hearing Implant Specialist to determine your eligibility for coverage.