Cochlear Implants and Your Hearing Center

When you are losing your hearing, there are several ways that a hearing center can help you restore it. Two of these options are cochlear implants and aids. There are several differences between the two and a hearing center can help you decide which works the best for your particular situation.

One of the differences between a cochlear implant and an auditory aid is that the implant requires surgery to plant it in the ear canal. A person who has experienced a major hearing loss may be the best candidate for the implant, while those who have only lost some of their sound perception may generally benefit more from auditory aids.

Another major difference between a cochlear implant and auditory aids is that the implant is a permanent fixture while an aid can be removed. Though they are both used to help restore lost hearing, they work differently. Your hearing center technician can help you understand how the two are different and can help you choose which works best for you.

The best candidate for a cochlear implant is one who has sensorineural hearing loss in both ears, so that they can get hearing back in both ears. This is because an implant is supposed to stimulate the auditory nerve and imitate the sound, instead of just making the sound louder as an aid would do. In order to stimulate the auditory nerve so that a person can hear after the cochlear device is implanted, the implant is placed just below the skin behind the ear, while the microphone is placed just above and behind the ear to receive the sounds and transmit it to the implant.

The implantation surgery usually happens in two parts. First the electrodes are implanted followed by a visit where the person will have the processor and microphone implanted. When these are both in place, the device is turned on. You will need to visit your hearing center yearly so that you can have it adjusted if needed. Some implant patients also need speech therapy and some rehab.

When you are figuring out the costs for cochlear implants, your figures need to include preoperative costs, surgical costs, postoperative costs, and any other costs for adjustments and programming. You always get a - year warranty on your device, but you will also need replacement batteries from time to time. Some health insurance companies and all government health plans cover these costs, so check with them to see exactly what will be covered, so you will know how much you need yourself.

When you are trying to decide between auditory aids and cochlear implants, it is important to know the causes of your hearing loss and how much it will cost comparatively.