Cochlear Implants
Comprehensive evaluation and candidacy assessments for cochlear implant technology.
What Are Cochlear Implants?
A cochlear implant is a surgically placed electronic device that provides a sense of sound to people with severe to profound hearing loss who receive limited benefit from hearing aids. Unlike hearing aids, which amplify sound, cochlear implants bypass damaged portions of the inner ear and directly stimulate the auditory nerve.
At ACI Hearing Center, we provide comprehensive evaluation and candidacy assessments for cochlear implants for both adults and children, and we will walk you through system options including Cochlear Americas and Advanced Bionics.
How a Cochlear Implant Works
A cochlear implant has both external and internal parts. The external sound processor and transmitter sit behind the ear and on the head. The internal receiver and electrode array are placed during surgery and stimulate the auditory nerve directly — bypassing damaged hair cells in the cochlea.
External components (left) work with internal components (right) to deliver sound directly to the auditory nerve.
Who Is a Candidate?
Cochlear implants may be an option if you or your child meets certain criteria. While a thorough evaluation is needed, general candidacy guidelines include:
Adults
- Moderate to profound sensorineural hearing loss in both ears
- Limited benefit from properly fitted hearing aids
- Score of 50% or less on sentence recognition tests in the ear to be implanted
- No medical conditions that would increase surgical risk
- Motivation and realistic expectations for the process
Children
- Severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss in both ears (12–24 months old)
- Limited benefit from hearing aids over a trial period
- Access to educational programs that emphasize listening and spoken language development
- Family commitment to follow-up appointments and auditory rehabilitation
- Children as young as 12 months may be evaluated
The Evaluation Process
The cochlear implant evaluation at ACI Hearing Center is thorough and designed to determine whether a cochlear implant is the right option for you:
- Comprehensive hearing test — We assess your hearing in both ears to determine the type and severity of your hearing loss.
- Hearing aid evaluation — We verify that your current hearing aids are optimally programmed and assess the benefit they provide.
- Speech perception testing — We measure how well you understand speech with and without your hearing aids.
- Medical evaluation — We coordinate with an ENT (ear, nose, and throat) physician to assess your medical candidacy.
- Counseling — We discuss what to expect, the timeline for activation, and the rehabilitation process.
- Referral and coordination — If you are a candidate, we coordinate with the surgical team and manage your audiological care before and after implantation.
Cochlear Implant Systems We Support
We support multiple cochlear implant systems and will help you understand your options based on candidacy, lifestyle, and communication goals — including Cochlear Americas and Advanced Bionics.
