Is It Required? (Symptoms/Indications)
A cochlear implant may be a possibility for those with severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss when hearing aids are not enough.
Typical Symptoms and Signs:
- Severe hearing loss that, even with the help of effective hearing aids, makes speech difficult to understand.
- Speech discrimination is poor, making it hard to follow conversations, especially when there is noise.
- Congenital deafness affects a child's verbal communication skills.
- Abrupt or progressive hearing loss (due to illness, accidents, or genetics).
- Tinnitus (ear ringing) and deafness that may or may not disappear following implantation.
In what circumstances is it advised?
Adults: When speech comprehension is only slightly improved by wearing hearing aids.
Young children (ages 9 to 12 months): To aid in language development in the event that hearing aids are not successful.
