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A man wearing a Cochlear Implant Sound Processor dancing with a woman

Hear the difference

In a world of sound, clarity makes all the difference. Discover the richness of a life beyond hearing aids with a cochlear implant.

Don’t miss the moments that matter

Don’t miss the moments that matter

Whether you're hearing the laughter of your grandchild, the bustle of everyday life or the joy of family gatherings, we know that missing less starts with hearing more.

If you have worn hearing aids but are still struggling, it's time to explore whether a cochlear implant could make a difference to you. Do you or your loved one:

  • Have difficulty hearing on the phone even in full volume?
  • Struggle with conversations in noisy environments?
  • Lip read or frequently ask people to repeat themselves?

It may be time to see if a cochlear implant could be right for you.

Take the hearing quiz

Don’t miss the moments that matter

Whether you're hearing the laughter of your grandchild, the bustle of everyday life or the joy of family gatherings, we know that missing less starts with hearing more.

If you have worn hearing aids but are still struggling, it's time to explore whether a cochlear implant could make a difference to you. Do you or your loved one:

  • Have difficulty hearing on the phone even in full volume?
  • Struggle with conversations in noisy environments?
  • Lip read or frequently ask people to repeat themselves?

It may be time to see if a cochlear implant could be right for you.

Take the hearing quiz

What’s the difference between hearing aids and cochlear implants?

What’s the difference between hearing aids and cochlear implants?

Hearing aids help by amplifying sound but as hearing loss progresses, some people may need help beyond hearing aids. Cochlear implants focus on enhancing clarity of sound,1-6 while hearing aids mostly work by making sounds louder.1 This clarity could help people reclaim their confidence and fully immerse themselves in the meaningful moments of everyday life. Take this short hearing quiz to learn whether you could benefit from a cochlear implant assessment.

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What’s the difference between hearing aids and cochlear implants?

Hearing aids help by amplifying sound but as hearing loss progresses, some people may need help beyond hearing aids. Cochlear implants focus on enhancing clarity of sound,1-6 while hearing aids mostly work by making sounds louder.1 This clarity could help people reclaim their confidence and fully immerse themselves in the meaningful moments of everyday life. Take this short hearing quiz to learn whether you could benefit from a cochlear implant assessment.

What clearer hearing with cochlear implants has made possible for others
"I heard the birds chirping!'"
-Will
"It transformed me. It gave me life."
-Nancy
"It's the best thing I've ever done for myself."
-Cathy
"The car turn signal - I didn't know it made a sound!"
-Jay
Hear the details, not just the noise. Its time to hear the difference for yourself.

In a study, at 12 months, 97% of adults with a cochlear implant experienced significant improvement in speech understanding compared to when using a hearing aid.4

Frequently asked questions

Here are the top questions people ask before taking the next step - but your free guide covers much more.
Get a Free Guide
Cochlear implants use electrical impulses to transmit sound to the inner ear and on to the hearing nerve. These electrical impulses are then interpreted by the brain as sound.
Cochlear implant surgery generally lasts up to two hours for one ear. The surgery is typically outpatient and performed under general anesthesia. Most people are back to their normal routine after a couple days of recovery.

There are a variety of cochlear implant funding options available to Australian adults, such as:

- Public health cover or Medicare for eligible adults
- Up to 100% cover for cochlear implant device costs with private hospital health insurance (depending on your level of insurance)

Contact the Cochlear Engagement Team today to learn about the funding options available to you.**

Hearing aids help many people. Unfortunately, as hearing loss progresses, some people may need help beyond hearing aids. Cochlear implants can help give you clarity, especially in noisy environments.7 In fact, research has shown that adults receiving cochlear implants understand sentences on average almost seven times better than they could with hearing aids.8
One of the first steps to getting a cochlear implant is to get tested by an audiologist who is trained in cochlear implants and advanced hearing technologies to see if you qualify as a candidate.

Ready to get started? Get a free guide and learn more about cochlear implants

If you are ready to experience the difference that clarity makes and get more information about cochlear implants, download this free guide.

 

Get a free guide

Explore differences between hearing aids and cochlear implants

Learn the signs your hearing aids may not enough

Discover benefits of cochlear implants and how they work

Get information on cost and insurance and next steps **

Free Cochlear implant information sessions near you

If you or a loved one would like to learn more about hearing with Cochlear implants, come along to a free information session at a location near you.

Find event

Got more questions? Get in touch with Cochlear Engagement Team

We offer a free information service to help you explore your options and answer your questions.

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Disclaimer

Please seek advice from your health professional about treatments for hearing loss. Outcomes may vary, and your health professional will advise you about the factors which could affect your outcome. Always read the instructions for use. Not all products are available in all countries. Please contact your local Cochlear representative for product information.

Views expressed are those of the individual. Consult your health professional to determine if you are a candidate for Cochlear technology.

Any testimonial featured on this website is intended for an Australian audience only.

In Australia, Cochlear™ Nucleus® implant systems are intended for the treatment of moderately severe to profound hearing loss.

For a full list of Cochlear's trademarks, please visit our Terms of Use page.

*The Cochlear Hearing Quiz is not a diagnostic evaluation and is not intended to replace medical advice. For a complete test or evaluation of your hearing, please consult a hearing healthcare professional. They will be best placed to diagnose and/or treat a hearing loss condition.

**Private health insurers may be able to provide a full reimbursement of a hearing implant. Coverage of surgical and hospital costs will depend on your insurance level. Contact your health insurance provider or hearing health professional to determine your eligibility for coverage.

References

  1. Fitzpatrick EM, Leblanc S. Exploring the factors influencing discontinued hearing aid use in patients with unilateral cochlear implants. Trends in Amplification. 2010, 14; (4): 199–210.
  2. Rumeau C, Frere J, Montaut-Verient B, Lion A, Gauchard G, Parietti-Winkler C. Quality of life and audiologic performance through the ability to phone of cochlear implant users. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2015, 272: 3685–3692.
  3. Runge CL, Henion K, Tarima S, Beiter A, Zwolan TA. Clinical outcomes of the Cochlear™ Nucleus® 5 cochlear implant system and SmartSound™ 2 signal processing. J Am Acad Audiol. 2016, 27; (6): 425– 440.
  4. Kelsall D, Lupo J, Biever A. Longitudinal outcomes of cochlear implantation and bimodal hearing in a large group of adults: A multicenterclinical study. Am. J. Otolaryngol. 2021, 42 (1): 102773.
  5. Buchman CA, Herzog JA, McJunkin JL, Wick CC, Durkovic N, Firszt JB, Kallogjeri D. Assessment of Speech Understanding after Cochlear Implantation in Adult Hearing Aid Users. A Nonrandomized Controlled Trial. JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery. 2020;146(10):916-924. Doi:10.1001/jamaoto.2020.1584.
  6. Boisvert I, Reis M, Au A, Cowan R, Dowell RC. Cochlear implantation outcomes in adults: A scoping review. PLOS ONE. 2020, 15 (5): e0232421. https://doi.org/10.137/journal.pone.0232421
  7. Hirschfelder A, Gräbel S, Olze H. The impact of cochlear implantation on quality of life: The role of audiologic performance and variables. w Head Neck Surg. 2008 Mar;138(3): 357-362.
  8. Balkany T, Hodges A, Menapace C, et al. Nucleus Freedom North American clinical trial. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2007;136(5):757-762.