I’ve been told I have nerve deafness. Does this mean I cannot be helped by a cochlear implant?
Individuals with "nerve deafness" are usually candidates (or may be considered candidates) for a cochlear implant. "Nerve deafness" is an old-fashioned term that is unfortunately still being used as a diagnosis. It refers to hearing loss that occurs in the inner ear, or cochlea. The correct term for this type of hearing loss is "sensorineural hearing loss." In most cases, sensorineural hearing loss is caused by cochlear hair cell loss. Cochlear implants are designed to replace the dead and damaged hair cells in the cochlea and make use of the auditory nerve fibers by stimulating them directly.

What is the success rate for cochlear implants?
Ninety-eight percent of our patients have emerged from the surgery and subsequent hook-up with sound sensation. Complications of surgery (and their incidence) are infection (8 percent), prolonged nausea (2 percent), dizziness (2 percent) and facial nerve paralysis (0.5 percent).

Success in hearing with the device, however, can be measured by an audiologist's test or from the subjective perspective of the implant recipient. Average performance on standardized single-word tests is about 40 percent and average performance on a sentence test is 70 percent. The subjective benefit that an individual user perceives may be quite different based on the patient's goals and expectations.

What is the upper age limit for candidacy?
There is no upper age limit – a person only needs to be mentally sound and physically healthy enough to undergo 3.5 hours of anesthesia. Our oldest recipient was 86 at the time of surgery.

How many times will I need to visit the hospital?
The cochlear implant process requires the following visits:

• Pre-operative work-up: one to three visits
• Surgery: one visit
• Post-op staple removal: one visit
• Hook-up: Up to three visits the first week
• Follow up: weekly appointments for eight weeks, at 90 days post hook-up, six months, 12 months, and yearly thereafter
• Aural rehabilitation: Once a week for the first eight weeks

What is "aural rehabilitation"?
Aural rehabilitation involves one-on-one sessions with a speech-language pathologist who will work with you to reduce difficulties related to your hearing loss and listening, and help you to develop strategies to improve communication success in everyday environments and situations.

How much pain is there after surgery?
Some people have an intense headache afterwards; others do not feel any pain at all.  Nausea, dizziness and fatigue are common.

How soon can I go back to work after surgery?
You may resume your normal activities as soon as you feel ready.

Will I wear a hearing aid in the opposite ear?
Immediately after the surgery, yes. However, after the hook-up we recommend patients refrain from wearing a hearing aid in the opposite ear until they have fully adjusted to the implant – usually about six months post hook-up.

Which ear will be implanted?
The choice of which ear to implant depends on the status of the inner ear, as indicated by CT scans. If there is no difference between ears, then the ear of choice is that with more hearing for more time. If both ears are anatomically equivalent, and hearing health/amplification history are equivalent, then the choice is the patients.

Are there upgrades?
There are frequent upgrades in the programming software. These upgrades are free to the patient, aside from the usual charge to see the audiologist. Upgrades in speech processors tend to occur every two to four years. Costs for these upgrades vary and are sometimes covered by insurance. Upgrades in the internal circuitry (implant) occur less frequently. These would require a new surgery and insurance approval.

Will I be able to hear on the telephone?
About 50 percent of cochlear implant recipients can use the phone in normal conversation. This number has been increasing with improved technology.

Will I hear music?
Cochlear implant users can hear music, but many do not care for the way music sounds.

Will I be able to understand television?
Most cochlear implant users have trouble understanding television without the assistance of closed captioning.

Can I talk with cochlear implant recipients?
Yes, members of the Cochlear Implant Club meet on the first Wednesday of every month to provide information to those considering the procedure and to those who need support after the procedure. Meetings are from 10-11a.m. at the Cochlear Implant Center, Eighth floor of the Phillips Wangensteen Building on the University of Minnesota campus. Simply show up in our waiting room and you will be escorted to the meeting place.

Where is the surgery performed?
Surgeries take place at the University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview.

How do I schedule a cochlear implant evaluation?
You may call the appointment line at 612-626-5775 (voice relay) or you may e-mail us at audioclinic@fairview.org.

How do I get to the Cochlear Implant Program?
The Cochlear Implant program is a part of the Audiology and Aural Rehabilitation Clinic at University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview, 516 Delaware St. SE, Clinic 8B (Eighth floor, Phillips-Wangensteen Building), Minneapolis, Minn. 55455. Click here for directions.

What is an auditory brainstem implant and how is it different from a cochlear implant?
While a cochlear implant makes use of the cochlear (auditory) nerve, an auditory brainstem implant (ABI) is designed for use at the brainstem, beyond the cochlear nerve. It is designed for individuals who have been diagnosed with acoustic tumors.

During surgery to have acoustic tumors removed, the acoustic nerve is severed, rendering a cochlear implant an impossibility. The ABI is placed at the cochlear nucleus, located beyond the cochlear nerve. Currently, only Cochlear Corporation at www.cochlear.com manufactures brainstem implants.

Can you suggest any organizations or Web sites that might provide me with more information on hearing loss or cochlear implants?
Visit our Related Links page.