Cochlear implants help people hear and be heard. But how much do we really know about what they do, and what are the signs that we may need one?

An Australian company recently became worldwide news after it became the first tech company in the world to design and manufacture a cochlear implant that can be upgraded without having to replace the unit.

The news has been welcomed by those living with moderately severe to profound hearing loss because, until now, users wanting to access future technologies were only able to do so by upgrading the sound processor on their device.

The new system comes with unique firmware, meaning the device can now be upgraded with new features throughout the user’s lifetime.

The advancement will be music to the ears of the 14,000 Australians who currently have a cochlear implant as well as the one in six Australians who are currently living with hearing loss.

What is a cochlear implant?

For many people impacted by hearing restrictions, hearing aids provide enough amplification to function well. However, for some, the benefit of hearing aids is limited because the aids can only amplify the sound that an individual’s ears already pick up.

A cochlear implant is a surgically placed electronic medical device that offers an effective alternative. It was invented by Australian Professor Graeme Clark, who pioneered the cochlear implant and performed the first surgery in 1978.

When clarity is an issue, a cochlear implant is usually the best solution because it bypasses damaged ear cells to send signals through to the brain.

Reported benefits:
  • Improved hearing without relying on lip reading
  • Better listening in noisy places
  • Easier identification of where sounds are coming from
  • Some users report reduced ringing or buzzing (tinnitus)

“Only about 10% of adults who could benefit from a cochlear implant are currently using one.”

— Ear Science Institute Australia (ESIA)

How do they work?

Cochlear implants work as an effective hearing loss treatment by working together with the healthy parts of the ear and directly stimulating the auditory nerve.

External sound processor

Worn behind or above the outer ear. Microphones capture sound and convert waves into electrical signals.

Internal implant

Inserted under the skin with an electrode “tail” that delivers electrical pulses to the cochlea, sending nerve impulses to the brain.

How do I know if I need a cochlear implant?

Cochlear implants are best suited to those with sensorineural hearing loss, which occurs when the inner ear (the cochlea) is damaged or does not function correctly.

Common causes include: congenital hearing loss, ageing, loud noise exposure, head injury and side effects of pharmaceutical drugs.

Pathway to an implant in Australia
  1. Referral from your audiologist or GP to a specialist cochlear implant centre.
  2. Comprehensive assessment with ENT specialists, audiologists and speech therapists.
  3. Pre-surgical evaluation and surgical placement of the internal device.
  4. Rehabilitation period to learn how to process sounds.

Many adult users continue to wear a hearing aid on the non-implanted ear (bimodal hearing). For many people, using a cochlear implant on one ear and a hearing aid on the other provides their best hearing.

What does it cost?

There are several ways to fund a cochlear implant in Australia. Government-funded pathways can cover implant assessments, procedures and audiology appointments (often bulk-billed).

Depending on your level of cover, private health insurance may also be an option; while eligible veterans may access funding for surgery and devices.