FAQ's - Before getting two cochlear implants

1. Should I get two cochlear implants at the same time?
2. Why should I consider a second cochlear implant for myself or my child?
3. How long after the first cochlear implant should I get the second?
4. How soon will I notice the benefits of having a second implant?
5. I already have one cochlear implant. Will they be compatible?
6. What kind of re/habilitation is involved with bilateral cochlear implants?

Before getting two cochlear implants

1. Should I get two cochlear implants at the same time?
   Some bilateral cochlear implant recipients have both devices implanted during the same surgery. Other bilateral recipients receive their second device later during different surgery. There are a variety of reasons that can influence a recipient's decision. You should discuss your options with your audiologist and cochlear implant surgeon to find out which approach is right for you.
2. Why should I consider a second cochlear implant for myself or my child?
   A second cochlear implant may improve hearing in difficult listening situations including classrooms, meetings, restaurants and other active, noisy places. The benefits of bilateral cochlear implantation may include: improved localisation, always having one ear positioned near the sound source, better speech understanding in noisy environments, and subjective and qualitative benefits^3-4. A second cochlear implant may improve your child's hearing in difficult listening situations. Several studies suggest that children with unilateral hearing loss may have difficulty listening and learning in classroom environments, and often benefit academically and socially from binaural hearing^1-2.
3. How long after the first cochlear implant should I get the second?
   The simple answer is: as soon as possible. Most people find the benefits of one implant so remarkable that they don't immediately think about having a second one. However, when you receive two implants close together, or even at the same time (simultaneous), the brain adapts quickly. The tendency towards favouring one ear can be avoided and less auditory therapy may be needed. For your child, allowing the two ears and hearing pathways to develop in tandem means the critical window time period can be used to it's full advantage¹ For some people, it may be possible to achieve binaural benefits using one cochlear implant and one hearing aid. However, with extended use of a cochlear implant, many people find that they no longer gain the binaural benefits they once did from the hearing aid in their non-implanted ear. This is when a second cochlear implant should be considered, even though it might be several years after the first implant.
4. How soon will I notice the benefits of having a second implant?
   Some bilateral recipients find their hearing performance improves immediately following switch-on of the second cochlear implant. For others, improvement is more gradual. Your own experience is as unique as you, and may depend on factors such as the duration of your hearing loss and how much experience you have with your first cochlear implant or a hearing aid.
5. I already have one cochlear implant. Will they be compatible?
   Choosing your second cochlear implant system is just like choosing your first - you want optimal hearing performance and the peace of mind. That comes from exceptional implant reliability and knowing that you will have access to the latest sound processing technology upgrades for life. For example, you might want to upgrade the sound processor on your first ear to get the most from your hearing potential in both ears in the easiest possible way.
6. What kind of re/habilitation is involved with bilateral cochlear implants?
   It's very important for implanted children and adults to receive ongoing auditory, speech and language therapy, regardless of whether they have one implant or two. With more access to sound, therapists may use different approaches to rehabilitation and incorporate practice in areas such as locating where sound is coming from into your program.

¹Litovsky, RY. Cochlear Whitepaper. Binaural Hearing.
²Litovsky, RY. Cochlear Whitepaper. Potential Advantages from Bilateral Cochlear Implants.
³Gantz, B.J., Tyler, R.S., Rubenstein, J.T., et al. (2002). Binaural cochlear implants placed during the same operation. Otol. Neurotol., 23(2): 169-180.
⁴Marvin, L., Chute, P.M., Rapoza, K. (2007) Speech Changes in Adults with bilateral and unilateral cochlear implants. Presented at 11th International Conference on Cochlear Implants in Children. April 2007 Charlotte, NC Clearer. Fuller.
⁵MRI approval varies by market. Please refer to your local clinic or Cochlear office for more information.