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Living with a cochlear implant
A few weeks after the surgery, you will be fit with the sound processor. Many return visits may be required within the first year. These visits will be for fine-tuning the sound processor plus auditory training or aural rehabilitation. Focus will be given to helping the recipient learn to listen. Hearing through an implant can provide useful auditory understanding of the sound environment and help to understand speech and music. The recipient, their family and friends, plus the medical team continue to work as a team to achieve success.
Hearing with a cochlear implant
How well you will hear with a cochlear implant depends on both biology and technology factors. How long you were deaf, how old you were when you became severely hearing impaired, and what caused your hearing loss are a few biological factors that impact how well you will hear with a cochlear implant. Your medical team will discuss your unique hearing history with you during the cochlear implant candidacy evaluation.
The technology inside the implant and sound processor are the key factor for better hearing performance in real world situations. Important comparative studies show that not all systems are the same. It is important that you research your options. Many candidates benefit most from talking to a cochlear implant recipient who has been through the process already. Groups such as The Bionic Ear Association introduce patients and their family to a community of cochlear implant recipients, families and audiologists who can support the patient through their hearing and implant journey. Associations such as the BEA aim to improve the quality of life of individuals with severe-to-profound hearing loss by providing valuable information, education, awareness and guidance on cochlear implants.
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