Cochlear Implants

No, a cochlear implant is not a replacement for normal hearing. A patient’s overall benefit with a cochlear implant will increase with practice at home and dedication to attending appointments. There are programs and resources available for patients to practice listening with their cochlear implant. 

The cochlear implant process is long and patients may not perceive benefit from their device until several weeks have passed. Consistent use of the cochlear implant during all waking hours will increase a patient’s access to sound. 

There are many variables to a patient becoming a “successful” cochlear implant user, including length of time of deafness, anatomy, cause of hearing loss, overall health, and many more. Each person’s outcome will be different than the next. 

The cochlear implant processor is a physical piece of technology that requires upkeep, similar to a car, cell phone, or appliance. It is necessary that a patient understands basic troubleshooting of the device and contact the manufacturer when upkeep is required. 

Cochlear implants often provide people increased access to communication in face-to-face situations. Use of the cochlear implant on the telephone or in crowded or noisy situations may still be difficult. 

Access to bilateral sound often improves understanding in noise. This may be from two cochlear implants, two hearing aids, or a cochlear implant in one ear and a hearing aid in the other. 

It is important to follow physician and audiologist recommendations. It is the patient’s responsibility to discuss areas that they have questions or concerns about with their audiologist or provider. 

• The cochlear implant process is long. Usually, you will perform and hear the worst on day one. 
• What you hear from your processor will change on a daily basis in the beginning. The best way to continue to improve is to wear your device as much as possible. 
• Keep in mind every person is different. How your friend / co-worker performed on day one may be very different from how you will perform. That’s normal.  
• Listen to different sounds in the environment. It’s useful to have a hearing partner to identify new sounds you’re hearing, as well as converse with you and give you practice. 
• Each time you put your processor on in the morning, it will be louder than when you took it off the night before. You will adjust to the loudness within a few minutes. This will get easier with time. 
• Some people hear more tinnitus (head noise) after they have surgery / take the processor off at night. This is normal. 
• Good ways to practice hearing: read out-loud to yourself; have a conversation partner read the newspaper or a book to you; borrow a “Book on tape/cd” from the library or download an audiobook. Listen while you follow along; watch television with the captions on, trying to listen to the words; listen to podcasts or talk radio. 
• Everyone who has a cochlear implant has an increased risk of meningitis. Consult with your surgeon to make sure you receive the proper vaccine, if needed.