Cochlear Implants in North Texas

Cochlear implants are surgically implanted medical devices that treat hearing loss by replacing the function of the damaged sensory hair cells inside the inner ear (cochlea). They are designed to help improve communication and quality of life for individuals who are no longer helped by hearing aids.

Cochlear implants are intended for individuals with moderate to profound sensorineural hearing loss where traditional hearing aids are no longer providing sufficient benefit towards speech understanding. Cochlear implant recipients must also have the motivation to participate in hearing rehabilitation to maximize the benefit that cochlear implants can provide.

Candidacy must be established first by undergoing a hearing test, speech testing with your current hearing aids, a medical evaluation to establish the health and anatomy of the cochlea with medial imaging (i.e., MRI and/or CT).

Cochlear implants are surgically implanted under general anesthesia at a local hospital. Recipients are typically able to go home the same day as their surgery. The external sound processor is activated approximately 4-6 weeks after surgery. Hearing rehabilitation exercises, either at home or with a speech therapist, will be necessary. Within 3-6 months, most people with cochlear implants make considerable gains in speech understanding; however, in some cases it may take up to a year to understand speech.

Do I need two cochlear implants?

• Adults will often be implanted in one ear (the poorer ear) and wear a hearing aid in the other ear. Adults may then progress to two cochlear implants as hearing loss progresses in the hearing aid ear.

Are cochlear implants safe?

• Cochlear implants have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for nearly 40 years.

Will my insurance cover a cochlear implant?

• Cochlear implants are covered by Medicare and commercial/private health insurance if you meet FDA criteria for implantation.