What is a cochlear implant?

A cochlear implant is a small electronic device that's put in your inner ear, to help you hear better. The implant triggers your hearing nerve to provide sound signals to your brain.

Cochlear implants are also known as 'bionic ears'.

If you have hearing loss, a cochlear implant may help you:

• understand speech
• talk better
• sense which direction sound is coming from
• hear despite loud background noise

How does a cochlear implant work?

The cochlear implant has 2 parts: external and internal.

The external part is a sound processor that sits behind your ear. It looks like a hearing aid and runs on batteries. It has small microphones that pick up sounds and send them through the side of your skull to the internal part of the implant.

The internal part is an implant, which is fitted by a surgeon. It picks up signals from the sound processor and triggers the nerve fibres in your inner ear. The nerve signals travel to your brain, where they are turned into sound.

Who can benefit from a cochlear implant?

A cochlear implant can help adults and children who have sensorineural deafness. This means that part of your inner ear isn't work properly.

The cochlear implant goes around the damaged area of the inner ear.

It's suitable for people who:

• have severe or profound hearing loss
• have hearing nerves that work
• can't overcome their hearing loss with hearing aids
• can participate in speech therapy after the implant is placed

If your child was born with severe hearing loss, having a cochlear implant fitted early helps them develop spoken language skills.

The earlier your child gets treatment, the better they can pick up language and learn to speak. Language skills will help them learn at school and talk to others.

The implants can be put into babies as young as 6 months old.

What's the difference between a cochlear implant and a hearing aid?

A hearing aid makes sounds louder, so you can hear them better through your ear. However, this may not be enough if your inner ear is badly damaged.

A cochlear implant sends sound signals straight to your hearing nerve.

How do I prepare for the procedure?

If you are having a cochlear implant fitted, you will need to see a team of specialists. They might include:

• an ear, nose and throat surgeon (also called an ENT or otolaryngologist)
• an audiologist
• a speech pathologist
• a social worker
• a psychologist
• a teacher for people with hearing loss

The specialist team will examine you. Tests may include:

• specialist hearing tests with and without your hearing aids
• medical examination of your ear
• speech and language assessment
• CT or MRI scans to check whether your ear is suitable for a cochlear implant

The team might recommend a cochlear implant in one or both ears.

You might want to talk to people who already have a cochlear implant. Ask your team to suggest a local support group.

Learn more about how to prepare for surgery here.

What happens during the procedure?

To get a cochlear implant fitted, you will need to have a general anaesthetic.

The surgeon will make a small cut behind your ear and insert the implant.

Once it is in place, your health team will check the implant is working. The procedure takes 1 to 3 hours.

You will probably need to stay in hospital overnight.

What can I expect after the procedure?

See your doctor immediately if you develop an ear infection or fever. You might need antibiotics to prevent the infection spreading or causing meningitis.

Most people have minor discomfort only. You might have some vertigo or ringing in your ears.

The cochlear implant will be switched on after your wound has healed. This could be between 1 day and 6 weeks after surgery.

An audiologist will adjust the device to improve your hearing. This usually takes several sessions.

It might take a while before you can hear clearly. Rehabilitation will involve an audiologist or a speech therapist. This helps train your brain to learn to understand what sounds mean.

If you have used hearing aids in the past, sounds may be different with a cochlear implant. With time and practice, your hearing will get better and easier.

What can go wrong?

See your ENT specialist if you have discharge from your ear, watery nasal discharge or any other ear symptoms.

It's important to talk about the benefits and risks with your surgeon before deciding to have the procedure. Most of the time there are no complications, but there are some risks including:

• infection at the site where the implant is inserted
• meningitis (a serious infection of the membranes around your brain)
• damage to your facial nerve, which can cause paralysis of your facial muscles
• implant failure and needing another procedure to replace it

There are vaccines available, which can lower your risk of getting meningitis. You will be advised to have these vaccines if you haven't already had them.

How do I take care of my cochlear implant?

There are some things you can do to look after your implant:

• You will need to recharge or replace the batteries regularly.
• The external part is not waterproof. Take it off or cover it if you go swimming.
• Avoid contact sports so your implant isn't damaged.

Your treating team will give you safety instructions for a range of situations that might affect your implant.

Resources and support

Visit Aussie Deaf Kids for more information about cochlear implants for your child.

The Department of Health Hearing Services Program can help you check if you are eligible for hearing support services.

You should talk to your health professional about the benefits and risks of getting a medical implant. Use the Therapeutic Goods Administration's guide on what to ask. The information is in English, Arabic, Croatian, Farsi, Greek, Italian, Korean, Mandarin, Spanish, Turkish and Vietnamese.

You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.