Questions to ask when you are thinking
about a cochlear implant for your child

  • A cochlear implant may help people with severe to profound hearing loss detect sound and understand speech when hearing aids do not help.
  • A cochlear implant has two parts:
    • one that you can see on the head and
    • one that is surgically inserted under the skin near the ear.
    • From there a wire runs to the inner ear.
  • Both parts work together to change sound into electric signals. These signals are sent along the hearing nerve to the brain. For picture see: http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing/pages/coch.aspx

    • A cochlear implant team will consider the following:
    • Is your child older than 1 year?
    • Does your child have a severe to profound hearing loss in both ears?
    • Have hearing aids not helped even when worn regularly for several weeks or months?
    • Has your child received speech-language and auditory (listening) therapy during the hearing aid trial?
    If the answers are yes, a cochlear implant may help your child. Your child should also receive speech and language therapy and educational services before and after the implant.

    Benefits from cochlear implants may take months or years. This can depend on:
    • The age of your child at the time of implantation.
    • The cause of the hearing loss.
    • Consistent use of the device.
    • Family involvement, speech language therapy and educational support.

    • A pre-implant evaluation is necessary to determine if your child is a candidate for a cochlear implant.
    • The cochlear implant center will help in obtaining insurance approval for the cost of the surgery and follow-up appointments.