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Who gets a Cochlear Implant?
Cochlear implants are recommended for usage by children and adults who are severely hard of hearing. The patient however,
should keep in mind that the cochlear implant is an irreversible process.
Cochlear implants are recommended for patients with hearing impairment between
70 and 90 decibels. When a hearing impaired patient finds hearing aids of
little or no assistance, a cochlear implant is the next beneficial
hearing and communication health step.
Adults who are fitted with
cochlear implants at a later age require intensive post operative therapy to
help them understand speech without using sign language or other visual
indicators.
Children who have advanced inner ear dysfunctions can be
fitted with cochlear implants between the ages of 2 to 6 years. A cochlear
implant fitted in young children will give them the best hearing and
communication advantage.
In the year 2000 the Food and Drug Administration
approved of children as young as 12 months for one kind of cochlear
implant. Caution has to be exercised and cochlear implants should be
evaluated at a cochlear implant center and the operation conducted by a
qualified and competent surgeon with extensive experience.
Not all hearing
impaired patients benefit from cochlear implants. Hearing aids should be
regarded as the first option before making a decision to fit a cochlear
implant.
If a patient has medical problems that could make surgery
precarious, a cochlear implant is not recommended. Cochlear implants
have proved to be beneficial to deaf blind persons who find integrating
and communication much easier when assisted by cochlear implants.
Those who
suffer from Ushers Syndrome a condition where deafness is accompanied by
vision loss, a cochlear implant substantially improves awareness among patients. Cochlear Implants are thus permanent and powerful assistive devices for
patients young and old with severe inner ear malfunctions.
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Learn More: What is the future of Cochlear Implants?