Why it's done

Cochlear implants can restore hearing in people with severe hearing loss who are no longer helped by using hearing aids. Cochlear implants can improve their communication and quality of life.

Cochlear implants may be placed in one ear (unilateral) or both ears (bilateral). Cochlear implants in both ears have started to be used more often to treat bilateral severe hearing loss — particularly for infants and children who are learning to speak and process language.

Adults and children who are as young as six to 12 months old can benefit from cochlear implants. People who have cochlear implants report improved:

• Ability to hear speech without needing visual cues such as reading lips
• Recognition of normal, everyday environmental sounds
• Ability to listen in a noisy environment
• Ability to find where sounds are coming from
• Ability to hear television programs, music and telephone conversations

To be eligible for a cochlear implant, you must have:

• Hearing loss that is so severe it interrupts spoken communication
• Limited benefit from hearing aids as determined by specialized hearing tests
• No medical conditions or factors that increase the risks associated with cochlear implants
• High motivation to participate in hearing rehabilitation and be part of the hearing world
• Realistic expectations of what cochlear implants can and can't do for hearing