Why should you get a cochlear implant early?

A congenitally deaf child should have cochlear implant surgery before 3 years old, earlier if possible. This early implantation gives your child the best chance to learn to use sound while language skills are developing.

Why do children get cochlear implants?

Doctors consider cochlear implants for children under 12 months of age with profound hearing loss in both ears. Older children with serious hearing loss also may get cochlear implants. A cochlear implant team will help decide if cochlear implants are a good option.

When should cochlear implants be used?

Cochlear implants in both ears have started to be used more often to treat bilateral severe hearing loss — particularly for infants and children who are learning to speak and process language. Adults and children who are as young as six to 12 months old can benefit from cochlear implants.

What is the age limit for a cochlear implant?

* In the United States, the cochlear implant system is intended for use in children 9 to 24 months of age who have bilateral profound sensorineural deafness and demonstrate limited benefit from appropriate binaural hearing aids.

What is the controversy about cochlear implants?

One of the biggest arguments against the implants is that even though they assist in hearing, those who have them are in a sort of limbo between the deaf world and the hearing world; they will never wholly be a part of either with these devices.

What is the purpose of a cochlear?

A cochlear implant is an implanted electronic hearing device, designed to produce useful hearing sensations to a person with severe to profound nerve deafness by electrically stimulating nerves inside the inner ear.

Who is suitable for cochlear implant?

It is suitable for people who: have severe or profound hearing loss. have hearing (auditory) nerves that work. can’t overcome their hearing loss with hearing aids.

Why do some deaf people dislike cochlear implants?

The main reason the Deaf community is opposed to the implantation of cochlear implants in children is they feel it is a threat to Deaf culture.

Why don t deaf people want cochlear implants?

Deaf people assert that deaf kids don’t need implants. Some see cochlear implants as a form of oppression from the hearing world and actively protest the technology. Some deaf people who get implants have even been shunned by the deaf community. Others in the community are more open to the technology.