Listening Devices: Part 2- Cochlear Implants

Cochlear implants are becoming an increasingly popular choice for babies born with severe to profound hearing loss (Click here to learn more about hearing loss). Implantation of CIs is a surgical procedure, so it's important to learn as much as you can before you make a decision.
Technology and How They Work
This link below is a video that is a great introduction to how normal hearing works and how cochlear implants can help those with hearing loss. It also explains the technical information and the implantation process.

Introduction to Cochlear Implants

The "Helpful Links" section below the archive provides several more links to informative websites (such as Advanced Bionics, ASHA, and Mayo Clinic).

Who Are They For
Currently, Cochlear Implants (CI) are approved for use in babies 12 months or older who have severe to profound hearing loss that is not remediated by hearing aids. To prove candidacy, an individual must use hearing aids for a period of time and show no benefit from them. For babies 12 to 18 months, this trial period is 6 months. Click here to learn about hearing aid styles and here to learn about technology available. If it is documented that a baby is showing signs of delayed language skills even with the hearing aid, then he/she will be eligible for a CI. Further candidacy requirements include good general health and enrollment in an aural rehabilitation program (missed our post about aural rehab? Click here to learn more). Once candidacy is established, the you will work with a team of specialists to plan the surgery.


Other Considerations
There is much debate on the use of cochlear implants. Parents should take the time to learn about the advantages and disadvantages of cochlear implants before making this decision as well as other options available.

• Advantages
• Cochlear implants can give your child the ability to recognize auditory signals, even if he/she has a profound loss.
• Many children who are implanted gain language skills equal to that of their hearing peers.
• This is an area of fast growth- there are new technologies being developed every day!
• Disadvantages
• It involves surgery, which can be scary for parents and children
• Any residual hearing in the ears will be lost-- when the cochlear implant is not on, the child will not be able to hear anything at all.
• CIs do not "cure" deafness. The child will still require speech therapy and aural rehabilitation therapy in order to understand the signals he/she receives from the device.
• Other options
• There is a strong Deaf community in the United States. People who identify with this culture embrace their deafness and do not seek remediation. By communicating through ASL, speechreading, and writing, these individuals thrive in their jobs and communities. For more information, click the link to go to the website of the National Association of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Cost
The average cost of implantation is $40,000. However, the cost you pay will depend on your coverage and deductible rates. The state of Wisconsin requires that insurance companies cover cochlear implants for children under 18 years. Click here to view the bill and click here for more information about laws and financial assistance in Wisconsin.