Cochlear implants are U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved, surgically-implanted medical devices that treat moderate to profound sensorineural hearing loss. Cochlear implants replace the function of a damaged inner ear (cochlea) and are designed to mimic natural hearing.
Although hearing aids are typically the first step to treating hearing loss, they can be an effective option for someone with mild to moderate sensorineural hearing loss who only needs sounds to be amplified or made louder.
As hearing loss progresses, sounds need to be made louder and clearer so speech can be understood. This is what cochlear implants can do. Cochlear implants are a proven medical treatment that can help adults of all ages with moderate to profound sensorineural hearing loss who are still struggling to hear when wearing hearing aids. They also are approved for children ages 9 months and older who have severe to profound hearing loss in both ears and with limited benefit from hearing aids.
For adults, cochlear implants help those with moderate to profound hearing loss in both ears who are not receiving enough benefit when using hearing aids.
Cochlear implants are approved for children 9 months and older with severe to profound hearing loss in both ears.
To get further information about cochlear implants, contact your hearing healthcare professional or visit Cochlear.com and the American Cochlear Implant Alliance.
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