Cochlear Implants
Cochlear implants can fill your world with the joys of sound. Find out how you or your child could experience closest to natural hearing and even enjoy music with a cochlear implant.
A New Way to Hear
Was your child born profoundly deaf? Do you have hearing loss, but find your hearing aids aren’t helping anymore? Can you only hear in one ear?
If you can answer yes to any of these questions, then a cochlear implant may help you, or your child, to hear better in everyday life. Getting a cochlear implant is a big decision, but it can be life-changing. Why? Because the benefits go beyond simply better hearing.
- Easier to socialise with friends
- Improved relationship with family members
- Better hearing in noisy settings, like restaurants
- Easier listening on the phone
How Does a Cochlear Implant Work?
Cochlear implants are designed for people with severe-to-profound sensorineural hearing loss. With this type of hearing loss, the hair cells in the inner ear are damaged, and can’t detect sounds properly. A cochlear implant bypasses these damaged hair cells and sends electric signals to the brain, where they are interpreted as sound.
A cochlear implant system has two main components. The externally worn audio processor detects sounds and sends them to the internal implant, which is placed just under the skin behind the ear.
Learn how cochlear implants work by watching this simple video.
The Perfect Match
Together, our audio processors and implants are made to give you the best possible hearing experience. Our audio processors have all the features you’re looking for in comfortable designs you’ll love to wear. And our implants are designed to deliver outstanding reliability and MRI safety*, along with a lifetime of better hearing.
And with the help of our apps, you can make hearing with your cochlear implant system even simpler and more convenient.
SONNET 3
Audio Processor
- Smaller and lighter ergonomic design
- Superior hearing performance
- Integrated direct streaming
RONDO 3
Audio Processor
- All day hearing
- Over 30 cover designs
- Compatible with all hearing aids
SYNCHRONY 2
Cochlear Implant
- Great Sound Quality
- Minimally Invasive Surgery
- 3.0 Tesla MRI Without Surgery**
A Lifetime of Hearing
Getting a cochlear implant is a big decision. Your implant will be with you for many years to come, so it’s important to think about the impact your implant will have, both now and in the future.
At MED-EL, we design everything with the future in mind. Our implants are built for long-term reliability, so you can experience years of uninterrupted hearing. We make it easy to upgrade to the newest audio processor, letting you benefit from the latest technology. Our SYNCHRONY series of implants have outstanding MRI safety* and are covered by our MRI Guarantee, meaning you’re prepared for whatever life brings.
A cochlear implant is a decision for a lifetime, and MED-EL will be with you all the way.
Connect With a Real User
Our Hearpeers Mentors are cochlear implant recipients and parents of recipients from around the world. They are ready to answer your questions about life with a hearing implant.
The Next Steps
What can you expect next? Here’s an outline of the process of receiving a cochlear implant.
1
Assessment
First, you’ll undergo routine assessments to ensure you’re a candidate for a cochlear implant, and if there are any additional factors your cochlear implant team should consider. Your clinical team will walk you and your family through the specifics of what to expect in the following steps.
2
Implantation
To implant a CI, the surgical procedure is straightforward and usually lasts between 1–2 hours under either general or local anaesthesia. Recipients are usually back on their feet the next day. Your hospital stay may last one or more days, depending on your individual needs and what’s typical in your area.
3
Activation
About four weeks after implantation, you’ll have your first fitting. This “activation day” is when your audiologist will turn on your audio processor for the first time and you’ll hear your first new sounds. The audio settings of your processor will be adjusted to fit your hearing preferences.
4
Rehabilitation
After activation, it’s important to follow up with a rehabilitation programme so that you can adapt to hearing through your cochlear implant. Rehabilitation is essential to make the most of your implant. It can be done together with speech-language professionals and at-home listening exercises.
* The SYNCHRONY 2 or SYNCHRONY cochlear implants are MR conditional. Recipients with a SYNCHRONY 2 or SYNCHRONY cochlear implant may be safely MRI scanned at 0.2, 1.0, 1.5, and 3.0 Tesla following the conditions detailed in the instructions for use.
** Unless required for diagnostic reasons.
We’re Here for You on Your Hearing Journey
Would you like to find out more about how MED-EL’s hearing solutions could help you or someone you care for? Simply fill out the contact form and we will provide you with further information.
