Cochlear Implants

Expected Benefits from Cochlear Implants

Cochlear implants do not restore normal hearing function — and the degree of useful hearing varies from one individual to another. Some recipients develop the ability to recognize speech without looking at the speaker. Others need to rely on speech or lip reading for understanding. Most recipients fall somewhere in between. However, all recipients usually find they have:

• Improved voice monitoring
• Improved ability to recognize normal, everyday environmental sounds
• Improved speech or lipreading
• The ability to hear softer sounds

Background noise will still interfere with the ability to understand. In difficult listening environments, recipients may need to rely more on speech or lip reading and use assistive listening devices. The telephone poses a challenge for many cochlear implant recipients, but some users learn to converse over the telephone. Audiologists can make suggestions to minimize the effects of background noise.

The degree of benefit from cochlear implantation cannot be predicted. However, several factors are significant for a good outcome:

• Auditory memory
  
  • Some exposure to sound before hearing was lost
  • Shorter period of deafness before implantation
• Status of the cochlea
  
  • Individuals who have a greater number of functioning auditory nerve fibers in the cochlea usually have better outcomes
• Motivation and commitment
  
  • Daily use of the implant during all waking hours
  • Maintaining scheduled appointments
  • For children: consistent use of strategies to develop listening skills and speaking skills throughout each day
• Rehabilitation and/or educational programs (for children)
  
  • Educational placements that emphasize auditory skill development and spoken language development