What difference can cochlear implants make?
Before you invest time and energy into any hearing solution, you want to know that it will have a significant impact on your life. Cochlear implants can restore a new level of hearing for patients who cannot get any real benefit from regular hearing aids. Many conventional solutions only work if the receptive systems still have some ability to process sound. A cochlear implant effectively and innovatively replaces or bypasses the part of your hearing system that no longer works.
When you have a cochlear implant, it won’t help you to hear precise speech and sounds. However, it will give you some tangible input to process that you can learn to interpret with our help. We will give you accurate expectations of what you can expect to hear when you visit Allison Audiology.
How are cochlear implants fitted?
You will begin the process by having a detailed assessment with us. We check your eligibility for cochlear implants and ensure that you and your family understand the whole process.
Implants are fitted during a surgical procedure where you will be under general anesthetic. The whole process takes no more than a couple of hours. You will require some recuperation time afterwards. The scar from your surgery will be small and, for most people, not very noticeable.
For the first 3-6 weeks, you will simply be healing from the implantation and you will not be able to hear any differently than you did before. This is to allow time for any normal swelling to go down and for the area to recover.
Your next step will be learning to interpret the input you receive from your cochlear implant. This is an ongoing process and there will be a period of adjustment and adaptation. We will book a series of appointments with you, so you visit regularly us during this time.
Do you still have questions?
The bottom line is that, at Allison Audiology, we are here to support you no matter what choices you make about your hearing healthcare. Cochlear implants may be for you and, if they are, we can help you make the steps towards getting them and integrating them into your life.
All you need to do to start the process is make an appointment with us. We can answer any questions you have. We have a gentle, no-pressure approach when it comes to any treatment you are considering.
