Description of Treatment/Procedure

The cochlear implant is a neural prosthetic device which processes sound stimuli into electrical stimulation of the auditory nerve. The brain interprets these electrical signals as sound, thus enabling the person to hear.

Committee Summary

Cochlear implantation is an evolving technology with advances being made in the electrodes, speech processors, and surgical techniques. It is approved by the FDA for adults and children, and by Medicare for adults. In the properly selected individual there can be substantial lifelong benefit where no alternative treatment is available today.