Meet Holly – One of Cochlear’s first paediatric implant recipients
Holly shares how getting a cochlear implant as a child changed the course of her life. She reflects on how the implant helped build her independence and the confidence to live life on her own terms.
"Growing up with the Cochlear implant meant that, even though I was profoundly deaf... It has allowed me to attend normal schools. It's allowed me to attend university. It's allowed me to pursue a career I chose."
- Holly, Cochlear™ Nucleus® recipient, Australia.
Holly lost her hearing to meningitis at age four and in 1987 was one of Cochlear’s first commercial paediatric recipient. Holly speaks about how having a cochlear implant enabled her to have the same choices and opportunities as any other child, attend mainstream schools and go on to build a career as a corporate lawyer. Watch Holly’s story above.
Commonly asked questions:
Will a cochlear implant help my child?
A cochlear implant helps your child access sound in a different way, which supports listening and speech development over time. Providing a child’s brain with the auditory stimulation it needs at an early age can help them achieve their best speech, language and social skills.1-3
If your child has been diagnosed with moderately severe to profound hearing loss, your audiologist can help guide whether your child is a suitable candidate for a cochlear implant.
Here are a list of questions to ask your hearing health professional about your child’s hearing loss to better understand your child’s hearing loss and the available treatment options.
What is the youngest age a child can get a cochlear implant?
In Australia and New Zealand Cochlear Implants are indicated for children once they hit 7kg in weight, this is typically between 4 to 6 months of age. However, your healthcare professional will be able to provide you with specific guidance for your child.
Cochlear implantation in young children is possible because the cochlea is fully formed at birth and doesn’t change in size as they grow into adults.
More information
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 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.
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.