Cochlear Implant Specialists in Houston
Millions of people across the globe are affected by hearing loss, no matter how old they are. The most common solution to help restore hearing loss and enrich the quality of life of those who need help are hearing aids.
Whenever hearing aids do not adequately address hearing loss, hearing implants, or cochlear implants, often provide the solution to meeting difficult hearing challenges.
To improve hearing clarity and more natural sound, many children and adults with advanced levels of hearing loss turn to our audiologists at Clarity Hearing in Conroe, Wharton, Tomball, North Cypress, and the Woodlands to facilitate better communication and better hearing through the use of cochlear implants.
The primary benefit provided by a cochlear implant is to elevate speech and language processing for children as young as six to twelve-years-old, but adolescents and adults can also take advantage of them, whether used to address single sided deafness (unilateral) or deafness both ears (bilateral).
Most people don’t really understand what cochlear implants are even though the technology has been around for about 50 years.
How Cochlear Implants Work
Cochlear implants gained FDA approval in the 1970s as a means of facilitating a higher level of hearing clarity for individuals with severe to profound hearing loss.
Similar to other electronic devices, like cell phones, digital technology has had a significant impact on the processing and performance capacities of hearing implants.
An electronic device made of two separate components designed to compensate for the damage done to your inner ear due to age deterioration, a birth defect, or other cause, cochlear implants bypass the auditory system in order to transmit sound directly to the auditory nerve.
The internal electrode component, which receives transmitted sounds from the exterior processor, is threaded directly into the cochlea using a surgical procedure. The external processing component contains the microphone and processing technology, which attaches to the internal electrode in order to pass along processed sound.
Cochlear implants do not cure deafness, but in conjuction with hearing aids, or replacing hearing aids, they often provide the best solution to overcome certain hearing loss challenges.
More Answers to Your Questions About Cochlear Implants
What is a Bi-Modal Fitting?
When a patient wears a traditional hearing aid in one ear and a cochlear implant in the other, this is called a bi-modal fitting. Communication between the two devices to maximize hearing potential is now possible because of the advancements in digital technology and connectivity.
When is a Cochlear Implant Needed?
A cochlear implant is needed when a patient experiences profound hearing loss that limits their capacity to understand speech, are not helped by hearing aid use, and are determined to be able to undergo the surgical implant procedure with minimal risk.
How is Cochlear Implant Surgery Done?
Cochlear implant surgery involves a surgeon who specializes in cochlear implant surgery and makes a small incision behind the ear, threads the electrode into the inner ear (cochlea), and tucks the implant under the skin. The surgical team then runs tests to measure your response to the implant before closing the incision.
Are There Risks Involved With Cochlear Implant Surgery?
Any surgical procedure that uses a general anesthesia involves risks. Consequently, your medical history and the possibility of complications are considered before cochlear implant surgery. However, the majority of procedures include few, if any, complications and require only one day in the hospital.
Will I Need Additional Surgeries to Accommodate New Technology as it Becomes Available?
Only the external component is involved in technological upgrades. It can be easily removed and replaced while the internal electrode remains fixed in place and is the only part of a cochlear implant that involves a surgical procedure.
Can People With Cochlear Implants Swim, Shower and Remain Active?
In order to shower or swim, most users simply remove the external processor, which contains the electronic components that don’t react well with water, and they use protective headgear when engaged in aggressive physical activities. Enjoying an active lifestyle with few limitations, except scuba diving and skydiving, which involve intense pressure changes, are among the advantages of cochlear implants.
How Long After Being Implanted are Cochlear Implants Activated?
Your audiologist will usually activate your cochlear implant within 4-6 weeks after surgery. The activation process is gradual, beginning with basic soft sounds and building on your progress in order to introduce more sounds in successive weeks and months.
Are Cochlear Implants Covered by Medicate and Private Insurance?
Most private insurance companies and Medicare cover FDA approved cochlear implants.
Meet Your Team of Cochlear Implant Specialists
Wade Brown, M.S.
Audiologist
Dominique Olivarez, Au.D.
Doctor of Audiology
Scott Marquardt, Au.D.
Doctor of Audiology
Shital Patel, Au.D.
Doctor of Audiology
Meagan Guidry, Au.D.
Doctor of Audiology
Alix Kornegay, Au.D.
Doctor of Audiology
Katie Miller, Au.D.
Doctor of Audiology
Learn More About Cochlear Implants from Our Specialist
Individuals with severe to profound hearing loss who don’t find an adequate solution from hearing aids can improve speech and language development using cochlear implants.
Clarity Hearing uses hearing implants as an important tool to help improve the quality of life for those in Conroe, Wharton, Tomball, North Cypress, and the Woodlands who qualify for them.
If you, or a loved one, are interested in learning about cochlear implants or want to know if you qualify, simply complete and submit the adjacent form and our specialist will contact you.
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