When Hearing Aids Are No Longer Enough
Cochlear Implants Can Open the Door to Better Hearing. If you have significant hearing loss and hearing aids are no longer providing enough benefit, it may be time to explore another option.
Schedule a Cochlear Implant Evaluation
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What Is a Cochlear Implant?
A cochlear implant is an implanted hearing device designed for people with significant hearing loss who are no longer receiving adequate benefit from hearing aids.
Hearing aids amplify sound. A cochlear implant works differently by providing another way for sound information to reach the hearing system.
That distinction is important because some patients reach a point where simply making sound louder isn’t providing the clarity and understanding they need.
When that happens, a cochlear implant evaluation can help determine whether another approach may provide greater benefit.
Cochlear Implants Aren’t Just for People Who Are Deaf
This is one of the biggest misconceptions surrounding cochlear implants.
Many people assume cochlear implants are reserved only for someone who has completely lost their hearing. That’s not necessarily the case. The more important question is: How much benefit are you still receiving from your hearing aids?
If you wear appropriately fitted hearing aids but continue to struggle significantly with understanding speech and communicating with the people around you, it may be worth exploring cochlear implantation.
An evaluation can help determine whether your current hearing aids remain the best solution or whether you’ve reached a point where a cochlear implant should be considered.
Who May Be a Candidate?
Cochlear implantation is not appropriate for everyone with hearing loss. In fact, if you’re still receiving appropriate benefit from hearing aids, a cochlear implant may not be the right solution.
Potential candidates generally require a thorough evaluation of their hearing and how well they understand speech with their current hearing technology.
Other factors can also influence whether cochlear implantation is appropriate, including your overall health, ability to participate in ongoing hearing care, and individual circumstances.
The goal isn’t to perform surgery simply because it’s available. The goal is to determine which option gives you the best opportunity to hear and communicate successfully.
What Happens During a Cochlear Implant Evaluation?
Step 1
Understanding Your Hearing
Your evaluation may include comprehensive hearing testing and an assessment of how much benefit you’re currently receiving from hearing aids.
Step 2
Comprehensive Review
The Ohio Ear team will review your hearing, medical history, and individual circumstances to determine whether additional evaluation is necessary and whether cochlear implantation may be appropriate.
Step 3
Informed Decision Making
If you’re a candidate, we’ll explain the procedure, answer your questions, and make sure you understand what to expect before deciding how you’d like to proceed.
Cochlear Implant Surgery May Be Smaller Than You Think
People often arrive with a very different picture of cochlear implant surgery than what the procedure actually involves. Many of the ideas people have come from outdated information or simply not knowing what modern surgery looks like. Part of our job is making sure you understand the procedure before you ever enter the operating room.
Will you have to shave my head?
No.
Will I have a large scar?
The procedure uses a small incision behind the ear.
Will I have to stay in the hospital?
Cochlear implantation is generally performed as an outpatient procedure, allowing patients to go home the same day.
Specialized Surgical Expertise Matters
Dr. Jimmy pursued fellowship training specifically focused on advanced ear surgery after completing his ENT residency.
That training included cochlear implant surgery along with procedures involving chronic ear disease, the eardrum, skull base, hearing and balance nerve, and structures connecting the ear and brain.
Ohio Ear was built around bringing that specialized level of ear care to patients throughout Ohio.
Your Care Doesn’t End With Surgery
A cochlear implant is more than a surgical procedure. Successful treatment involves ongoing hearing care and collaboration between your surgeon and audiology team.
Ohio Ear’s approach brings medical, surgical, and hearing expertise together so patients have a coordinated path through evaluation, surgery, and the hearing care that follows.
For patients who use a cochlear implant on one side and a hearing aid on the other, our team can also help coordinate those hearing needs.
Hearing Aid or Cochlear Implant?
It isn’t always an either/or decision you should make on your own.
For patients who continue to receive meaningful benefit from hearing aids, hearing aids may remain the appropriate treatment.
For patients whose hearing has progressed to the point that hearing aids aren’t providing enough benefit, cochlear implantation may become an option.
The best way to know is to evaluate your hearing and determine how well your current hearing technology is actually working for you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cochlear Implants
Do I have to be completely deaf to get a cochlear implant?
No. Cochlear implants can be considered for people with significant hearing loss who are no longer receiving adequate benefit from hearing aids.
Can I get a cochlear implant if hearing aids still work for me?
If you’re receiving appropriate benefit from hearing aids, cochlear implantation may not be recommended. The goal is to use the solution most appropriate for your hearing.
Do you shave my hair for surgery?
No. Dr. Jimmy explained that cochlear implant surgery does not require shaving the patient’s hair.
Is there a large incision?
No. The procedure uses a small incision behind the ear.
Will I stay overnight in the hospital?
Cochlear implantation is generally an outpatient procedure, meaning patients can typically go home the same day.
Can I have a hearing aid in one ear and a cochlear implant in the other?
Yes, this can be appropriate for some patients. Ohio Ear plans to work with hearing technology that can coordinate with cochlear implant systems when appropriate.
How do I know if I’ve stopped getting enough benefit from my hearing aids?
If you continue to have significant difficulty understanding speech despite using appropriately fitted hearing aids, a cochlear implant evaluation can help determine whether you should consider another option.
You’ve Tried Hearing Aids. What’s Next?
If your hearing aids aren’t giving you the benefit they once did, you don’t have to assume there’s nothing else that can be done. The next step is finding out why you’re struggling and whether another hearing solution is appropriate. Ohio Ear can evaluate your hearing, assess the benefit you’re receiving from your current hearing aids, and help you understand whether cochlear implantation should be part of the conversation.