Cochlear Implants

When hearing aids aren’t enough

For some individuals with significant hearing loss, traditional hearing aids may not provide enough benefit. Cochlear implants offer an alternative.

A cochlear implant is a medical device that bypasses the damaged parts of the inner ear and directly stimulates the auditory nerve, sending sound signals directly to the brain. It works through two main parts:

  • An internal component that is surgically placed under the skin and into the cochlear
  • An external sound processor that sits behind the ear, capturing and converting sound into digital signals sent to the implant
The implant then stimulates the auditory nerve, allowing the brain to interpret sound. While the sound experience differs from natural hearing, most recipients report a significant improvement in understanding speech and engaging in conversation.

Who may benefit from cochlear implants

Cochlear implants are often recommended for:
  • Adults or children with severe sensorineural hearing loss in both ears
  • Those who receive limited benefit from properly fitted hearing aids
  • People motivated to participate in rehabilitation and listening therapy

Your audiologist at Hearing Associates can help determine whether you may be a candidate through specialized testing and consultation.

How does the cochlear implant process work?

The first step in the cochlear implant process is determining whether a patient is an audiological candidate. This begins with a comprehensive evaluation performed by your audiologist, which includes testing in the sound booth while you are wearing your hearing aids. If results indicate that a cochlear implant may provide better hearing than traditional amplification, your audiologist will review:

  • What a cochlear implant is
  • Realistic expectations
  • Device and accessory options
  • Next steps in the process

Medical Evaluation

After the audiological evaluation, we will coordinate a consultation with one of the surgeons we partner with. During this visit, the surgeon will determine whether you are also a medical candidate for implantation. If you are cleared both audiologically and medically, your cochlear implant surgery can be scheduled.

How Long Is the Surgery and What Happens After?

Cochlear implantation surgery is an outpatient procedure that typically takes about two hours. Most patients return home the same day.

After the surgical site has healed—usually within a week or two—you will return for the activation appointment, at which point the external sound processor will be connected and turned on for the first time. This marks the beginning of your new hearing experience!

Follow-Up Care

Hearing with a cochlear implant improves over time as your brain adapts to the new signal. To support this adjustment, your audiologist will fine-tune the device through a series of scheduled visits. During the first year, patients typically have six appointments:

  • Activation
  • 2-week follow-up
  • 1-month follow-up
  • 3-month follow-up
  • 6-month follow-up
  • 12-month follow-up
These visits allow for ongoing adjustments, progress monitoring, and rehabilitation support. 
 
After the first year, we recommend annual checkups to ensure your device continues to function optimally. 

Cochlear Implants at Our Practice

Hearing Associates has proudly offered cochlear implant services since 2016. We added these services to ensure that patients whose hearing aids no longer provide sufficient benefit can continue their hearing-care journey with a team they trust. 
We are part of the Cochlear Provider Network (CPN), which allows us to expand our services and collaborate within a national medical network dedicated to helping people with hearing loss achieve their best hearing outcomes. Dr. Carly Girard, owner of the practice, serves on the Cochlear Provider Network Advisory Board, reflecting her commitment to guiding patients through every step of their hearing care. 
 
Contact our office to determine if a cochlear implant is right for you. 

Ready to hear life clearly again?

The first step is simple. Schedule a hearing evaluation at our Libertyville or Gurnee office and discover solutions that fit you, your goals, and your lifestyle.

Schedule my appointment