Who is a candidate for a cochlear implant?

Adults:

If hearing aids are no longer offering you enough benefit, you may be a candidate for a cochlear implant. Some indicators include:

• A moderate to severe or profound hearing loss in both ears
• Very little or no benefit from hearing aids
• Having difficulty following conversations without lip-reading
• Feeling isolated and limited, both socially and occupationally, because of your hearing loss
• When your speech intelligibility is affected by your hearing loss

Children:

Children who are cochlear implant candidates should be implanted as soon as possible if parents want to strive for age appropriate speech, language and academic development. Some indicators include:

• A moderate to severe or profound hearing loss in both ears
• Very little or no benefit from hearing aids
• A child whose hearing loss was caused by Meningitis
• A speech and/or language delay caused by their hearing loss