A cochlear implant (CI) is a surgically-placed device, implanted into the inner ear, that directly stimulates the hearing nerve. Cochlear implants are designed to help restore hearing and communication when traditional hearing aids are no longer able to help due to the severity of hearing loss.

A cochlear implant differs from traditional acoustical amplification in that it bypasses the damaged inner ear or cochlea and sends electrical impulses directly to the hearing nerve and then to the brain.

Most cases of sensorineural hearing loss are due to the damage or absence of specialized hair cells within the inner ear. A cochlear implant replaces the function of the damaged sensory hair cells to help provide patients with clearer overall hearing.

Any person who is struggling to hear well despite properly fit hearing aids might be a candidate for a cochlear implant.

This may include patients with:

- Significant sensorineural (inner ear) hearing loss in both ears

- Significant sensorineural (inner ear) hearing loss in one ears (Single-sided deafness)

- Those who have little or no benefit with appropriately fit hearing aids

- Those who have a clear understanding of cochlear implantation risks and realistic expectations

- Those who are committed to the rehabilitation process and follow-up appointment schedule

A cochlear implant is an outpatient (go home the same day) surgery for most people. It is safe and rarely has complications. The surgery on average takes around 1 hour or less to perform. We recommend that patients avoid strenuous activity for around 5-7 days after their implant surgery. After this, patients can return to their normal daily life.

Many patients ask if they will have improved hearing immediately after the surgery, but unfortunately this isn’t the case. People will often hear worse out of that ear initially, as we don’t turn the implant on for a few weeks to allow for healing.

The cochlear implant will be activated (turned on) a few weeks (2-4) following surgery. The surgeon will ensure the patient is healing well during a post-op appointment. After this, the patient will work closely with their audiologist to have the cochlear implant adjusted to the best settings that support hearing. They may also work with other specialists if needed, such as speech language therapists. These therapies will help the cochlear implant to function at its best.
Patients will experience most of their improvement during the first few months after activation. However, hearing with the cochlear implant will continue to improve beyond this period.

Patients describe the sound of a cochlear implant as very different at first. Some say it sounds robotic or mechanical. This almost always improves over time, and most will experience significant improvement in their communication after following their rehabilitation schedule.