Hybrid™ cochlear implants
If you can hear low-frequency sounds like drums or thunder but not high-frequency sounds like whistles and bird song, a Hybrid™ cochlear implant may help.
How does Cochlear® Hybrid™ Hearing work?
A Cochlear® Hybrid™ Hearing solution – also known as electro-acoustic hearing – combines two proven technologies in one solution: a hearing aid and a cochlear implant.
A Hybrid™ Hearing solution includes:
- An external sound processor with an acoustic component (similar to a hearing aid).
- An internal cochlear implant.
The acoustic component amplifies the natural low-frequency hearing you still have, while the cochlear implant provides access to high-frequency sounds that may be difficult to hear.
By working together, these components can provide a balanced hearing experience and may help connect you to the sounds you’ve been missing.
Who is a candidate for a Hybrid™ cochlear implant?
Adults and children with high-frequency hearing loss, sometimes referred to as 'ski-slope' hearing loss, may be candidates for a Hybrid cochlear implant. 'Ski-slope' hearing loss occurs when a person has:
- Normal to moderate low-frequency hearing.
- Severe to profound high-frequency hearing loss.
In these cases, hearing aids alone may not provide enough clarity for speech understanding and a Hybrid™ cochlear implant may be recommended.
To determine whether a Hybrid™ cochlear implant may be suitable for you or your child, speak with a hearing health professional who specialises in hearing implant technology.
Take the online hearing quiz
Our short hearing quiz can help you assess your hearing and consider your next steps.^
Why do high-frequency sounds matter?
High-frequency sounds play an important role in understanding speech. If these sounds are missing, conversations can become unclear because consonants may be difficult to hear.
For adults, this can make it harder to follow conversations, hear voices clearly or talk on the phone.
For children, hearing a wider range of frequencies is important for speech and language development, helping them distinguish words and detect emotion.1
How can a Hybrid™ cochlear implant help?
We design Cochlear® Hybrid™ Hearing for people who need improvements in:
- Speech understanding in quiet and noisy environments
- Overall hearing satisfaction
- Sound clarity and quality
- Music appreciation
How much does a Hybrid™ cochlear implant cost?
There are different funding options available for candidates in Australia and New Zealand, which may cover the costs of cochlear implants in full.
"Having the cochlear implant just means I get to have a lot more fun. I can communicate again and I can just enjoy the conversation that takes place."
- Sandy B, Cochlear® Hybrid™ Hearing recipient
Frequently asked questions
High-frequency hearing loss is a type of sensorineural hearing loss where it may be possible to hear some sounds with a lower pitch, but not high-frequency sounds like birds chirping.
Common causes include:
-
congenital hearing loss
-
ageing
-
exposure to loud noise
-
head injury
-
genetics
-
Ménière's disease
-
adverse reaction to medications.
A hearing health professional can assess your hearing and determine whether a Hybrid™ cochlear implant may be suitable for you.
You can also take our short online hearing quiz to assess your hearing and consider your next steps.
A Hybrid™ cochlear implant could help your child to hear better if they have high-frequency or ‘ski-slope’ hearing loss. This means they have normal to moderate low-frequency hearing loss, but severe to profound high-frequency hearing loss.
To find out if your child is a candidate for a Hybrid™ cochlear implant, talk first to a hearing health professional who specialises in hearing implant technology.
Find a hearing specialist near you.
Have more questions?
Get in touch with the Cochlear Engagement Team. We provide a free information service to help you understand your options and feel confident about your next steps.
Contact us
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 follow the directions for use. Not all products are available in all countries. Please contact your local Cochlear representative for product information.
For a full list of Cochlear’s trademarks, please visit our Terms of Use page.
Views expressed are those of the individual. Consult your health professional to determine if you are a candidate for Cochlear technology.
In Australia, Cochlear™ Nucleus® implant systems are intended for the treatment of moderately severe to profound hearing loss.
In Australia, Baha® bone conduction implant systems are intended for the treatment of moderate to profound hearing loss.
In Australia, the Cochlear™ Osia® System is indicated for patients with conductive, mixed hearing loss and single-sided sensorineural deafness (SSD) aged 5 years and above with up to 55 decibels sensorineural hearing loss. Patients should have sufficient bone quality and quantity to support successful implant placement. Surgery is required to use this product. Any surgical procedure carries risk.
For Cochlear™ Nucleus®, Osia® and Baha® systems: This product is not available for purchase by the general public. For information on funding and reimbursement please contact your health care professional.
Any testimonial featured on this website is intended for an Australian audience only.
^ 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.