We Help You Discover a New Way to Hear

A cochlear implant is a small electronic device that improves hearing. It can offer an alternative for people with severe hearing loss, who don’t hear better with a hearing aid.  

Our hearing specialists provide leading-edge care to restore your ability to hear speech and other sounds. You get complete care from a team specializing in cochlear implant surgery, with personalized guidance and training to let you hear in a new way. You get all the care you need in a single place — from an expert team you can trust. 

We are the first in California to offer robotic-assisted technology for cochlear implants. Robotic-assisted technology is designed to maximize surgical outcomes to preserve the delicate structures within the cochlea. If you are interested in more information about robotic-assisted technology for cochlear implants, please contact our office at roboticci@med.usc.edu.

Specialized Treatment Brings Back the Sound of Music

How Do Cochlear Implants Work? 

Unlike a hearing aid, which amplifies sounds, a cochlear implant bypasses damaged areas of your ear and stimulates your auditory (hearing) nerve. This nerve sends signals to your brain that allow you to hear sound.

Cochlear implants have several parts, including:

• A receiver that’s surgically implanted under your skin that gets signals from the processor 
• A sound processor that sits behind the outside of your ear
• Electrodes placed in the cochlea (in your inner ear) that stimulate the auditory nerve

A cochlear implant can let you understand speech without reading lips. It can allow you to recognize everyday sounds, listen in noisy environments and even hear over the phone.

Is a Cochlear Implant Right for You? 

Cochlear implants can be effective for both children (six months and older) and adults with hearing loss in one or both ears. 

Your doctor may recommend a cochlear implant, if you:

• Are healthy enough to have surgery
• Can participate in rehabilitation after surgery to learn how to interpret sounds
• Have considerable hearing loss in one or both ears
• Use a hearing aid but with limited benefits

Cochlear implants are often used to treat sensorineural hearing loss, which is caused by damage to your inner ear or the nerves leading to your brain. 

Cochlear Implant Surgery 

You need cochlear implant surgery to place the device inside your ear. It’s a very safe surgery. It doesn’t require an overnight stay in the hospital, except for very young children or very old adults. Surgery is just the first step in the process — your device needs to be turned on and programmed, and you need to learn how to use it. 

After your ear has a few weeks to heal, you’ll work with an audiologist (hearing specialist) to program the device and a speech-language pathologist to learn how to interpret the sounds. Programming and learning take time, and our expert team offers personalized guidance and support every step of the way. We customize your program to ensure you get the most from your cochlear implant.

There are different types of implants, and your doctor will explain your options and help you decide what’s right for you. Cochlear implant cost depends on the implant manufacturer, your treatment program and your insurance coverage.