Hearing is the process by which our ears detect sound waves from the environment and convert them into nerve signals for the brain to understand as sound. 

For a more detailed explanation, check out "How Hearing Works".

When a part of the ear doesn’t work as well as it should, it becomes harder to hear—this is known as hearing loss. Hearing loss can have many different causes, and can range in degree from mild to profound. There are many treatments for hearing loss, including hearing aids and hearing implants. 

Learn more about the different types of hearing loss.

Hearing implant systems help restore hearing to individuals who don’t receive sufficient benefit from hearing aids.

A hearing implant system is the combination of an internal implant and an external audio processor. There are different types of hearing implants—such as a cochlear implant, middle ear implant, or bone conduction implant—designed for different types of hearing loss.

Learn more about the different types of hearing implant systems.

Although both hearing aids and hearing implants are designed to improve an individual’s hearing, a hearing implant is fundamentally different from a hearing aid.

A hearing aid only amplifies sound from outside your ear, which may not be effective if you have more severe hearing loss.

A hearing implant brings the sound directly to the inside of your ear, which enables more effective transmission of sound signals. Hearing implants can help individuals who can’t benefit from hearing aids.

If you have moderate-to-profound hearing loss, you may be a candidate for a hearing implant. A hearing specialist will be able to tell you more about your specific circumstances. If you’d like to learn more about the right hearing solution for you, just get in touch using our contact form below and we’ll put you in touch with a hearing specialist in your area.

For children with severe-to-profound hearing loss, success is more likely if they are implanted at a young age. In a child’s first few years, the brain is especially ready to learn language and adapt to a hearing implant. In many cases, when children with profound hearing impairment are implanted early enough, their hearing and speech can develop in a manner similar to that of their peers without hearing loss.

Age of implantation is dependent on the individual patient and the advice of your doctor. If you have not consulted a hearing specialist yet, please fill out our simple contact form and we’ll help you get in touch with a hearing specialist in your area.

There is no age limit for receiving a hearing implant. Many of our recipients are older adults who have enjoyed a renewed quality of life after having their hearing restored.

Learning to use your restored sense of hearing is a process. Willingness to participate in rehabilitation programs to develop listening skills is important for candidates at any age.

As with any surgery, there are some potential risks to cochlear implantation. The risks involved in cochlear implant surgery are low, however, and are comparable to those associated with other ear surgeries. The design of MED-EL hearing implants allows for minimally invasive surgical techniques. Patients should consult a medical professional for further information on possible risks. 

A typical hearing implant surgery lasts from 1–3 hours. Patients are often back on their feet the next day. The length of the hospital stay is usually one or more days, depending on local practice.

Metal detectors or security screening devices will not affect the function of your implant. However, because the implant contains metal components, MED-EL will provide you with a recipient ID card to use at security checkpoints.

Yes, individuals with hearing implants can lead active lives with few restrictions. Your doctor or hearing professional is the best resource for individualized information.

We generally support and recommend the use of a helmet in situations where a helmet is normally used. It is important to protect the implanted area from a direct impact. Waterproof WaterWear covers should be used with the audio processor when taking part in water sports. Remove the audio processor before playing on plastic playground equipment that can generate high levels of static electricity.

MED-EL hearing implant systems are state-of-the-art, but new advances in sound processing and other technology are being developed all the time. With a simple fitting to update the external audio processor, you can upgrade to the latest technology without undergoing additional surgery.

These easy-to-upgrade systems allow MED-EL hearing implant users to take advantage of the latest innovations—both now and in the future.

If you’d like to learn more about receiving a MED-EL hearing implant system, fill out our simple contact form and we’ll put you in touch with a hearing specialist in your area. With a few routine assessments, your hearing specialist can find the right hearing solution for you.