Cochlear Implants

In 2000, cochlear implants received FDA approval for use in children starting at 12 months old. The technology can potentially change the lives of children who are deaf or hard of hearing. 

Using a cochlear implant when children are young connects them to sounds as they develop speech and language skills. Studies have shown that when a child receives implants and therapy prior to turning 18 months:

• They can hear, understand sound and music and communicate with others at better rates than children who receive implants when they are older.
• They develop language skills at similar rates to peers with normal hearing.
• They are often successful in mainstream classrooms.

While hearing aids amplify sounds, implants bypass damaged portions of the ear and directly stimulate the auditory nerve. The implant generates signals that are sent through the auditory nerve to the brain, which are, in turn, recognized as sounds. 

Hearing through a cochlear implant can take time to learn. But Sacramento Ear, Nose & Throat will be by your side through this process. Once you get accustomed to those new sounds, you can better understand the sounds that make up your world, whether it’s something spoken by a family member or friend, a discussion in a classroom or the bark of your dog.

This is a big question, and you don’t have to answer it on your own. Our provider will help you determine if hearing implants would be a good fit for you.

Implants are often used in the following circumstances:

• You’re experiencing hearing loss that is not helped by hearing aids.
• You miss more than half of spoken words or rely on lip reading, even with hearing aids.
• You have profound sensorineural hearing loss, a condition involving damage to your inner ear.

Our audiologist will guide you through this process. Cochlear implants are more common than auditory brainstem implants. Typically, you can receive a cochlear implant unless:

• You have damage from a skull fracture.
• Your auditory nerve is small or missing.
• The shape of your inner ear doesn’t allow for it.
• A rare tumor known as neurofibromatosis type II (NF2), is present.

After healing from the surgery, your audiologist will program the device to fit your unique needs and teach you how to care for it. You will also receive aural therapy to interpret the new electrical signals.

The duration of this rehabilitation will vary based on your goals and progress. Whether it lasts for a shorter period of time or is a long-term endeavor, Sacramento Ear, Nose & Throat will be by your side.

A cochlear implant doesn’t exactly restore “normal” hearing, but it can provide a significant improvement in hearing ability for people who are deaf or severely hard-of-hearing. At Sacramento Ear, Nose & Throat, we specialize in cochlear implants as a solution for individuals who do not benefit sufficiently from hearing aids. These implants bypass damaged portions of the ear and directly stimulate the auditory nerve, allowing users to perceive sound. While it doesn’t replicate natural hearing, it can enhance communication and quality of life for many individuals by enabling them to understand speech and environmental sounds.

There are risks associated with any surgery, although the risks with cochlear implant surgery are generally low. At Sacramento Ear, Nose & Throat, our experienced team ensures thorough evaluation and patient education to minimize these risks. Potential risks include infection, damage to nearby structures such as the facial nerve, or issues with the implant itself. However, with careful surgical technique and post-operative care, these risks are typically managed effectively. Our commitment to patient safety and comprehensive follow-up care ensures the best possible outcomes for individuals considering cochlear implants.

At Sacramento Ear, Nose & Throat, our goal with cochlear implants is to significantly improve your ability to hear and communicate effectively. While individual outcomes can vary, many cochlear implant recipients experience a substantial improvement in their ability to understand speech, both in quiet environments and in noisy settings. This improvement often enables individuals to engage in phone conversations more comfortably and enjoy listening to music.

However, it’s important to note that cochlear implants do not replicate natural hearing entirely. Adjusting to new sounds and understanding speech may require time and auditory rehabilitation. Our dedicated team provides comprehensive support throughout this process, including mapping sessions to optimize your implant’s settings and auditory training to enhance your listening skills.

Ultimately, while outcomes can differ, many of our patients at Sacramento Ear, Nose & Throat achieve significant benefits in their ability to communicate effectively, engage in phone conversations, and enjoy music. We are committed to helping you achieve the best possible hearing outcomes and quality of life with your cochlear implant.

A cochlear implant is a sophisticated medical device designed to provide a sense of sound to individuals who have severe to profound hearing loss and do not benefit sufficiently from hearing aids. At Sacramento Ear, Nose & Throat, we specialize in cochlear implants, which consist of two main parts: an external portion worn behind the ear or on the body, and an internal portion surgically placed under the skin.

The external component captures sound and processes it into digital signals, which are transmitted to the internal component via a magnet. The internal component, surgically implanted during a procedure typically lasting a few hours, stimulates the auditory nerve directly with electrical signals. These signals are interpreted by the brain as sound, enabling recipients to perceive sound and understand speech.

Cochlear implants do not restore normal hearing, but they can provide significant auditory improvement, allowing many recipients to communicate effectively, hear environmental sounds, and in some cases, use the telephone or enjoy music. Our team at Sacramento Ear, Nose & Throat is dedicated to evaluating whether cochlear implants are suitable for each individual’s unique hearing needs and providing comprehensive care throughout the implantation process and beyond.

Sound is captured by the microphone in the speech processor. Various characteristics of sound, such as pitch, loudness, and timing, are then converted into digital signals. These digital signals are further processed and transformed into electrical pulses. These pulses travel through a transmitting coil across the scalp to reach the internal receiver/stimulator.

Once received, these electrical pulses are directed to a small electrode array inside the cochlea. Nerve fibers in the cochlea then transmit this coded information to the brain. This process allows individuals with severe to profound hearing loss to perceive sound through a cochlear implant.

At Sacramento Ear, Nose & Throat, we specialize in providing comprehensive evaluations and personalized care for individuals considering cochlear implants, ensuring they receive the best possible hearing outcomes and support throughout their journey.

I individuals who may benefit from a cochlear implant typically include those with severe to profound hearing loss in both ears, particularly if they do not receive adequate benefit from hearing aids. Candidates often have intact auditory nerves and a willingness to commit to auditory rehabilitation post-surgery.

Specifically, adults who struggle to understand speech even with powerful hearing aids and children who are not developing language skills at expected rates due to severe hearing loss are potential candidates. Evaluation involves assessing hearing history, current hearing test results, and overall health to determine suitability.

Our team at Sacramento Ear, Nose & Throat is dedicated to providing thorough evaluations and personalized care to determine if a cochlear implant is the right solution for each individual’s unique hearing needs. We offer comprehensive support throughout the process, from initial consultation to post-implantation rehabilitation, ensuring optimal hearing outcomes and improved quality of life for our patients.

Understanding the difference between a cochlear implant and a hearing aid is crucial for determining the best solution for hearing loss. Hearing aids are suitable for individuals who still have some residual hearing and can benefit from amplification. On the other hand, a cochlear implant bypasses damaged parts of the inner ear (cochlea) to directly stimulate the auditory nerve.

In summary, while hearing aids amplify sound for individuals with residual hearing, cochlear implants are a more advanced solution for those with severe hearing loss by directly stimulating the auditory nerve. At Sacramento Ear, Nose & Throat, our expert team evaluates each individual’s hearing needs to determine the most suitable option, ensuring comprehensive care and support throughout the process.

At Sacramento Ear, Nose & Throat, while cochlear implant surgery is generally safe, it carries potential risks, including infection, bleeding, and rare instances of damage to nearby structures like the facial nerve or balance system. There are also anesthesia-related risks and rare device-related issues. Our team prioritizes meticulous pre-operative assessment and advanced surgical techniques to minimize these risks. We provide thorough post-operative care to ensure optimal outcomes for our patients undergoing cochlear implantation.

At Sacramento Ear, Nose & Throat, we acknowledge advancements in cochlear implant technology. Should a better implant become available after you receive yours, we’ll provide guidance on compatibility, evaluate potential benefits, and offer support to help you make informed decisions about your hearing care. Your ongoing satisfaction and optimal hearing are our priorities, and we’re committed to staying informed about new developments to enhance your experience.

The timing of hearing with a cochlear implant varies for each individual. Typically, patients do not hear immediately after surgery. Instead, there is a period of healing and recovery. Once the surgical site has healed, usually within about 2 to 4 weeks, the external components of the cochlear implant are activated during a specialized appointment called a “hook-up” or “initial stimulation.”

The initial sounds perceived by the patient through the cochlear implant may initially be different or robotic-sounding, as the brain adapts to this new way of processing sound. Over the following weeks and months, through regular follow-up appointments for adjustments and auditory rehabilitation, patients often experience improved understanding of speech and sound.

At Sacramento Ear, Nose & Throat, the evaluation for a cochlear implant involves:

• Consultation: Discussing your medical history and hearing challenges.
• Hearing Tests: Assessing your hearing ability and how well you understand speech.
• Medical Exam: Ensuring overall health and evaluating your ears.
• Imaging: Checking inner ear anatomy with scans if needed.
• Candidacy Decision: Determining if you qualify based on test results and nerve health.
• Education: Providing details on the procedure, benefits, and rehabilitation.
• Surgical Planning: Scheduling the implantation procedure if you decide to proceed.

We ensure a thorough evaluation process to tailor the best treatment for your hearing needs at every step.