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More about Cochlear Implants:
Definition Purpose Precautions Preparation Aftercare Risks Normal results Resources |
Before a person gets an implant, specialists at an implant clinic conduct a careful evaluation, including extensive hearing tests to determine how well the candidate can hear.
Unfortunately, it is not possible to predict who will benefit from an implant. In general, the later in life a person becomes deaf, and the shorter the duration of deafness, the better the person is likely to understand speech with an implant. Likewise, someone with a healthy hearing nerve will do better than someone with a damaged nerve.
First, candidates undergo a trial with a powerful hearing aid. If the aid can't improve hearing enough, a physician then performs a physical exam and orders a scan of the inner ear (some patients with a scarred cochlea aren't good candidates). A doctor may also order a psychological exam to better understand the person's expectations. Patients need to be highly motivated, and have a realistic understanding of what an implant can and cannot do.
— Carol A. Turkington
