Candidates for Cochlear Implant Systems

MED-EL cochlear implants are used successfully in over 70 countries worldwide by both prelingually and postlingually deafened children and adults. Cochlear implants can offer a wide range of benefits including hearing speech, environmental sounds and music. See Benefits of Cochlear Implants

In general terms, adults, children and infants with severe to profound hearing loss may be candidates for a cochlear implant. Basic guidelines are provided below;

	General Candidacy Criteria
	When a cochlear implant may not be suitable.

The next step in determining whether a cochlear implant is the right choice for you or your child will be to contact your local cochlear implant center or hearing specialist. They will be able to advise you further and help determine the best solution for your particular situation. Click here for assistance in finding a local cochlear implant center.

General candidacy criteria

	For children, a profound sensorineural hearing loss in both ears
	For adults, a severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss in both ears
	Age 12 months or older
	Receive little or no benefit from hearing aids
	No medical contraindications
	High motivation and appropriate expectations
	Access to education and rehabilitation follow-up.

When a cochlear implant may not be suitable

	Hearing is “too good”
	If a person is able to achieve good speech understanding with hearing aids, then this is likely a better option than a cochlear implant system.
	Profound hearing loss for a very long time
	If the auditory nerve has never been stimulated or has not been stimulated for a very long time, it may not be able to pass sound information to the brain very well.
	The cochlea is not the main cause of hearing loss
	A cochlear implant cannot help if the main problem lies elsewhere than in the inner ear.
	Cochlear malformation
	Medical problems
	Patients need to be healthy enough to tolerate the anaesthetic, recover from surgery and participate in follow-up & rehabilitation programmes.
	Inappropriate expectations
	Inadequate support from family or care-givers Support from family and care-givers is a very important factor in the success of a cochlear implant use. In the case of children with cochlear implants, such support is vital.

Candidacy criteria may vary regionally; consult your local cochlear implant center for specific information.