Implantable Hearing Devices

Your Guide to Cochlear and Auditory Brainstem Implants: Benefits and What to Expect

Are you considering cochlear or auditory brainstem implants? Wondering how they work and if they’re right for you? Learn about the benefits, differences, and what to expect from these advanced hearing solutions from Pinnacle ENT Associates.

If you’re deaf or significantly hard of hearing, you may miss out on the sounds connecting you to your surroundings and loved ones. Hearing loss can impact your quality of life, whether following a conversation, enjoying your favorite movie, or observing the everyday world full of cars, babies, and barking dogs. If hearing aids haven’t been able to provide you with the relief you need, new options are available.

What Are Cochlear and Auditory Brainstem Implants?

Cochlear and auditory implants provide alternative ways to perceive sound for those with severe hearing loss. These devices bypass damaged parts of the ear and directly stimulate the auditory nerve.

Types of Hearing Implants:

  • Cochlear Implants stimulate the auditory nerve using electrodes placed in the inner ear’s cochlea. They have both external and internal components. The external parts sit behind the ear, where a microphone captures sound to send to the inner implant, which converts these sounds into electrical signals sent to the brain.
  • Auditory Brainstem Implants are similar to cochlear implants but bypass the cochlea and directly stimulate the brainstem. This implant type is used when the auditory nerve is damaged or absent.

How Are Implants Different From Hearing Aids?

While hearing aids amplify sound to help individuals with mild to moderate hearing loss, cochlear and auditory brainstem implants work differently. Instead of simply making sounds louder, these implants bypass the damaged parts of the ear, directly stimulating the auditory nerve or brainstem. This approach can be more effective for those with severe sensorineural hearing loss, where traditional hearing aids provide little benefit.

Why Hearing Implants Might Be the Right Choice for You

Cochlear and auditory brainstem implants offer unique advantages for many suffering from severe hearing loss by directly stimulating the nerve and bypassing damaged parts of the inner ear. This direct stimulation can enhance sound perception and, with time, help users better understand speech and recognize the sounds of their environment.

As users become more familiar with their technology, they often report improved quality of life, allowing them to reconnect with their surroundings and confidently engage in conversations.

When Should You Consider a Hearing Implant?

Getting a hearing implant is a significant decision, but you don’t have to make it alone. At Pinnacle ENT Associates, we’ll help you determine if an implant is right for you.

Common Considerations for Hearing Implants:

  • If you’ve tried and had little success with hearing aids, implants may provide better results.
  • Difficulty understanding speech, missing more than half the words spoken to you, or relying heavily on lip reading, even with hearing aids, could indicate the need for an implant.
  • For those with severe sensorineural hearing loss, implants may help to better manage hearing loss due to damage to the inner ear.

Finding the Right Implant: Cochlear or Auditory Brainstem?

Because each case of hearing loss is different, our integrated medical team will work with you to select the correct type of implant based on your specific condition and physical needs.

Cochlear implants are typically recommended for individuals with severe hearing loss and a functional auditory nerve. However, implants might not be effective if certain symptoms or conditions make treatment harmful to the patient, such as:

  • A severe skull fracture
  • A small or absent auditory nerve
  • Incompatible ear anatomy
  • Conditions like neurofibromatosis type II (NF2)

In these cases, our team of medical specialists will evaluate you for auditory brainstem implants (ABI) as they can bypass the cochlea and auditory nerve.

How Can Children Benefit from Hearing Implants?

Cochlear implants are approved for children as young as 12 months old, making them a powerful tool, even for young children. Early implantation can give children access to sound during the critical years when speech and language are developed.

The Advantages of Early Cochlear Implants for Young Children:

  • Better Social Interaction: Early hearing intervention can enhance communication and improve social interactions and relationships.

What to Expect after Receiving a Cochlear Implant

Following surgery, our team will program your implant to meet your normal hearing needs and provide guidance for the care of the device. You will likely also need to undergo aural rehabilitation therapy to help you adjust to the new electrical signals your brain is receiving.

Post-Implant Care:

  • Device Programming: The first step post-implantation is to program and optimize your device’s settings.
  • Aural Therapy: Training sessions to help you understand and interpret sounds through your new hearing implant.
  • Ongoing Support: Because the implant is just the beginning of your hearing journey and not the end, we conduct regular follow-up appointments to monitor your progress and to make adjustments as your hearing changes over time.

Committed to Your Hearing Health

While the idea of receiving cochlear or auditory brainstem implants might be frightening or overwhelming, this surgery, coupled with therapy and a period of adjustment, can unlock a whole world of sound and immersion. At Pinnacle ENT Associates, we’re committed to helping you discover or rediscover your hearing through comprehensive support and care.

If you’ve struggled with hearing loss and traditional treatments weren’t effective, cochlear or auditory brainstem implants may be an excellent option for you. Don’t wait — call today to schedule an appointment with our team of audiologists and see how these implants can help enhance your connection to the world around you.

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