Hearing is the key to learning language skills and speech, and the way we communicate with the external environment around us, but any of us may suffer from hearing loss either from birth, or later in life, and treatment is through the use of medical hearing aids, or through a cochlear implant for severe cases. (1) What are the conditions for agriculture? Can anyone do it?

What are the conditions for cochlear implantation?

Certain conditions must be met to select people who deserve a cochlear implant. Not every person suffering from hearing loss is a candidate for the procedure. The conditions are: (2)

1. Suffering from severe hearing loss in both ears, which hinders the individual’s ability to communicate with others.
2. The patient does not benefit from hearing aids, for example, the patient is unable to hear many of the words spoken around him, and this is determined through audio tests conducted by the specialist.
3. There are no health problems that could affect the success of the transplant or increase the risks of the operation.
4. The patient’s readiness to adhere to auditory and speech rehabilitation treatments after transplantation.

What is the appropriate age for cochlear implantation?
The earlier you start cochlear implantation, the better the results, especially during the first two years of life, which is the golden period in which the child acquires learning and speech skills. Studies have shown that children who underwent cochlear implantation before the age of 18 months had improved hearing ability and skills. Their speech and communication are better than children who had the procedure at an older age, and the language skills they acquired were very similar to the language skills of normal children who do not suffer from hearing problems, so currently a cochlear implant can be performed starting at approximately 12 months of age. (3)

Older children and adults may also benefit from a cochlear implant, especially those who lost their hearing late in life due to illness or accident. These people have language and speech skills acquired in childhood, which they can restore and improve with transplantation. (3)

There is no upper age limit for cochlear implantation. Even the elderly can benefit from it. To improve their overall quality of life. (4)

Does hearing return to normal after cochlear implantation?
Cochlear implantation is one of the most successful surgical operations in general, and the success rate depends on several factors, including age, degree of hearing loss and other things. It must also be known that even with the return of hearing, it is not 100% like natural hearing. However, cochlear implantation constitutes It made a big difference in life, and many people benefited from it, and it changed their lives completely. (3)

Making the decision to have a cochlear implant
If you or your child is a candidate for a cochlear implant, you have a lot to think about before going ahead with it; Because it is a process that requires a lifelong commitment to taking care of the device, and this includes regular visits to the cochlear implant center, before and after surgery, in addition to hearing and speech rehabilitation therapy to obtain successful results. (5)

You can ask our medical team in the Otolaryngology Department at Saudi Hospital for advice about cochlear implantation, and obtain a comprehensive and specialized evaluation to choose the right decision.

the reviewer

ACI Alliance: COCHLEAR IMPLANT CANDIDACY FOR ADULTS
The Hearing Journal: Who Is a Cochlear Implant Candidate?
NIDCD: Cochlear Implants
PubMed: Is there an Age Limit for Cochlear Implantation?
NDCS: Decision Making for Cochlear Implants