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The following general criteria are used to determine candidacy for a cochlear implant:

Adults

  • 18 years of age or older.
  • Moderate-to-profound, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss.
  • Limited benefit from appropriately fitted hearing aids.
  • High motivation and family support
Children
Young children: 12 month to 2 years:
  • Bilateral profound sensorineural hearing loss
  • Lack of progress in development of auditory skills with a hearing aid or other amplification
  • High motivation and realistic expectations from family
  • No medical conditions that would interfere with cochlear implant procedure
Children: 2 to 17 years:
  • Bilateral severe-to-profound sensorineural hearing loss
  • Lack of progress in development of auditory skills with a hearing aid or other amplification
  • High motivation and realistic expectations from family
  • No medical conditions that would interfere with cochlear implant procedure
**The criteria above are general guidelines only. Each patient is evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the implant team to determine if a cochlear implant is in the patient’s and family’s best interests.

Please click here for a "Comparison of Cochlear Implants".