When hearing aids no longer provide clarity, a cochlear implant may help. Hearing Implants Australia provides cochlear implant assessment, surgery and ongoing care for adults across Sydney and regional NSW.
Cochlear Implants
What is a Cochlear Implant?
A cochlear implant is an electronic medical device. It helps people hear and understand speech when properly fitted hearing aids no longer give enough benefit.
A hearing aid makes sound louder. A cochlear implant works differently. It bypasses the damaged hair cells in the cochlea and sends electrical signals directly to the hearing nerve.
In Australia, there are three manufacturers of cochlear implant systems that are registered for use with the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods:
How does a cochlear implant work?
A cochlear implant system is divided into two parts – an external sound processor and an internal implant:
The external sound processor
The external sound processor detects sounds in the environment via microphones. These sounds are then analysed by a tiny computer and then transformed into digital signals. These digital signals are then transmitted to the internal component.
The internal implant
The internal implant is an electronic prosthesis placed in the cochlea during surgery by a specialist Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) surgeon. It receives the digital signal from the sound processor and turns it into an electrical signal. This signal travels along the electrode array to stimulate the hearing nerve. Over time, the brain learns to understand these signals as sound.
How do I know if I am a candidate?
Cochlear implants aren’t only for people who are completely deaf. People who still get some benefit from their hearing aids may also benefit from a cochlear implant.
Candidacy criteria have changed as technology has improved. Many adults who could benefit from a cochlear implant don’t realise they are candidates. It’s worth asking your GP or audiologist about a referral for an assessment.
Common signs that you or someone close to you might be a cochlear implant candidate include:
- Limited benefit with appropriately fitted hearing aids
- Difficulty on the telephone
- Reliance on visual cues for successful communication
- Family and friends report that you experience communication difficulties even with the use of appropriately fitted hearing aids
- You need someone else to make appointments for you
- Reports that noise significantly impacts speech perception
How do I get a cochlear implant?
Cochlear implants involve a team of professionals with a range of skills working together to achieve a holistic outcome. This team usually includes your close family, your GP, your usual audiologist or audiometrist and a specialist ENT surgeon. It can also include a speech pathologist, psychologist or social worker.
To find out if you’re a candidate, you’ll need an assessment with a specialist implant audiologist. You’ll also see an ENT surgeon who performs cochlear implant surgery.
One Ear or Both?
Cochlear implants for single-sided deafness
Single-sided deafness (SSD) means you have little or no usable hearing in one ear, but normal or near-normal hearing in the other. It can happen suddenly, after an illness, or gradually over time.
Many people with SSD find it hard to tell where sounds are coming from. Conversations in noisy places can be tiring, and some people also experience tinnitus in the deaf ear.
A cochlear implant can give the deaf ear access to sound again. Working together with your better ear, it may help with locating sounds and hearing in background noise.
Other options for SSD include CROS hearing aids and bone conduction implants. Our team will talk you through which option may suit you best.
Bilateral cochlear implants
If you have significant hearing loss in both ears, you may be a candidate for a cochlear implant in each ear. This is called bilateral implantation.
Hearing with two ears can make it easier to follow speech in noise and tell which direction sounds come from. Many people also find listening less tiring.
Both ears can be implanted at the same time, or the second ear can be done later. If you already have one cochlear implant, ask us whether a second implant could help you.
Cochlear Implant Pathway
While not everybody's cochlear implant journey is the same, there is a typical pathway that an adult follows to getting a cochlear implant.
01
Candidacy Assessment
The first step is referral for a candidacy assessment. Often your usual audiologist will refer you for an assessment or they may have training in cochlear implants. A candidacy assessment typically includes:
- Comprehensive case history and diagnostic testing
- Functional and Quality of Life assessment
- Assessment of aided speech perception with optimally programmed hearing aids
- Counselling regarding outcomes and expectations
- Discussion of funding pathways
- Referral to ENT specialist for one or both ears
If you are determined to be a candidate, you will then be referred for a review with a specialist ENT.
02
Pre-Op Medical assessment
The second step is a specialist evaluation with an ENT specialist that performs cochlear implantation. This typically includes:
- Medical and hearing case history
- Physical ENT examination
- Radiological investigations (e.g. MRI & CT scans)
- Counselling about expectations and outcomes
- Counselling about CI surgery and related costs
03
Surgery
If you are an audiological and medical candidate, then the next step is surgery. Typically, during surgery:
- The implant is inserted into the cochlea
- The implant is tested to ensure functionality
- Post operative recovery
04
Post-Op Appointments
Following successful surgery:
- Post op review with ENT Specialist
- Implant activation and counselling with audiologist
- Ongoing device management and appointments
- Auditory rehabilitation program and training
- Annual follow-up appointments after first year to include mapping, device evaluation, and speech perception testing
05
Ongoing management and Care
Holistic patient care will be ongoing:
- New technology and review of external speech processors including non-implanted ear
- Replacement of batteries
- Additional listening devices and equipment
- Quality of Life and functional outcome reviews
- Holistic patient review with primary communication partners
Ongoing Care & Maintenance
Cochlear implant sound processors will require ongoing maintenance and repairs. External speech processors are generally covered by a standard manufacturer warranty; however, it is recommended that the sound processor is insured against loss through your home and contents insurance.
As technology improves and new innovations become available the external sound processor will be able to be upgraded without any additional surgery.
There are several potential funding pathways for this which may include:
- Private health insurance
- DVA
- Self funding
- National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
N.B. The NDIS does not cover the costs of a cochlear implant system or surgery. However, funding may be allocated for ongoing auditory rehabilitation, assistive listening devices or for upgrades of speech processors. For more specific advice please talk to your hearing health provider.
Get in touch
Whether you’re a patient, GP or health professional, our team is here to help. Contact us to make a referral, ask about hearing implants, or learn more about our services.
Referring a patient? Send referrals by email to [email protected]. Please include recent audiology results where available.
-
Mon - Fri: 9am - 5pm
Send us a message
Please complete the form to submit an enquiry.
