Cochlear Implants

Quick Facts about Cochlear Implants

• Cochlear implant candidates must have a severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss.
• There are two hospitals in Michigan that perform cochlear implant surgeries (Spectrum Hospital and The University of Michigan Hospital).
• The FDA recommends cochlear implants for children 12 months of age or older.
• A candidate must wear hearing aids for six months prior to being implanted.
• The average child gains a year's worth of language in a year's time.
• Each child must go through an implant candidacy procedure.

 What is a Cochlear Implant?
A video from YouTube on a Cochlear Implant.

What does a Cochlear Implant look like?
A parent, Drew's dad, shows you the parts of a Cochlear Implant in a YouTube video.

A document about Cochlear Implants
Learn what a Cochlear Implant is, how it works, who gets a Cochlear Implant, and how you get one.  From the National Institute on Deafness and other Communication Disorders.

Cochlear Implant Awareness Foundation
This is a foundation that was started by a woman who received a Cochlear Implant. Her daughter also received a Cochlear Implant. She wanted to offer support to others who had questions about Cochlear Implants and the procedure. This is a good page if you'd like to connect with others with a Cochlear Implant or read their stories of encouragement.

Cochlear Implant information from the open source free encyclopedia Wikipedia

University of Michigan Cochlear Implant Program
The above picture is of the University of Michigan Speech Rehabilitation Service Center. After being implanted with a Cochlear Implant, patients get their implants activated at the center and receive speech and language services. The University has a second website, click here to visit Sound Support.

Spectrum Hospital Cochlear Implant Program
Activation of the Cochlear Implant and speech services are provided at the Spectrum Hospital Speech and Rehabilitation Center.

Each hospital lets a parent choose which Cochlear Implant they'd like. 

Click a logo below to visit the company's web sites for specific information.

University of Michigan Hospital uses all three companies. Spectrum Hospital only uses AB and Cochlear.