When Should You Talk to Your Audiologist About a Cochlear Implant?

Article contributed by Lindsey Banks, audiologist and founder of Dr. Hearing Loss.

With the advancements in hearing technology over the past decade comes more options for those who have experienced significant hearing loss. One of those advancements is cochlear implants. These devices can give hope to those in search of better hearing.

Unfortunately, some hearing healthcare providers don’t talk about cochlear implants with their patients. Therefore, it is important for you to be aware of these devices and advocate for yourself when you think it may be time to consider one.

Who Is a Candidate for a Cochlear Implant?

Adults in the US are a candidate for cochlear implants when they meet some of the following criteria:

• Have a moderate to profound sensorineural hearing loss in both ears
• Receive limited benefit from acoustic amplification.
• Can undergo a surgical procedure.

Signs It May Be Time to Consider a Cochlear Implant

If you are struggling with your hearing loss, don’t be afraid to talk to your hearing healthcare provider about whether a cochlear implant may be the next step for you.  

There are some things you may experience that are good indicators that it’s time to consider a cochlear implant:

1. You still struggle to follow conversations even with your hearing aids

If you wear hearing aids but still have a hard time following conversations on the phone or in person even with your hearing aids in, then it may be time to consider a cochlear implant. The candidacy criteria for “limited benefit with hearing aids” is speech understanding of less than 60%. If you feel like you are catching less than 60% of the conversation, then you would likely be a cochlear implant candidate.

It doesn’t matter if you’ve been wearing hearing aids for 1 month or 1 year, if you aren’t getting benefit from them then you don’t have to wait to consider moving to a cochlear implant. You can at least be evaluated to see if it is an option for you.

2. You find yourself feeling isolated or withdrawn from social settings due to your hearing loss

3. You were evaluated for a cochlear implant in the past and did not qualify

Candidacy guidelines change over time and so does your hearing loss. If you were evaluated for a cochlear implant in the past and were told you were not a candidate, it may be worth being evaluated again.

Who Should You Talk to About a Cochlear Implant?

While not all audiologists or hearing healthcare providers work with cochlear implants, they should be knowledgeable enough to discuss them with you and refer you to a provider who does work with cochlear implants to evaluate whether you are a candidate.

Also, since getting a cochlear implant does require surgery including anesthesia, you should talk to your primary physician about it. Your primary physician knows your medical history and will have an idea of whether you can be medically cleared for the procedure.

In addition to talking to your audiologist and primary physician about it, it is worth mentioning it to a family member or friend. Your cochlear implant professional team will want to see that you have a support system in place before undergoing cochlear implant surgery.

Getting a cochlear implant can be life-changing for those with hearing loss and should be discussed when needed. If you find yourself frustrated, discouraged, or even feeling hopeless about your hearing loss, don’t put off talking to your audiologist about a cochlear implant any longer.

Lindsey Banks is an audiologist, member of the Forbes Health Advisory Board, and fellow of the American Academy of Audiology. She provides tinnitus and hearing loss support for patients online at Dr. Hearing Loss. Dr. Banks strives to educate her patients with hearing loss and/or tinnitus about the best solutions for their hearing health so they can make confident decisions for improvement in their quality of life.