How Cochlear® solutions work

Learn how Cochlear® hearing solutions work and discover how they could help you or your loved one.

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Smiling woman wearing a Cochlear hearing implant.

Cochlear provides a range of hearing implant solutions designed for different types and degrees of hearing loss. While your hearing health professional will help determine the right option for you, you can explore our hearing implant solutions below.

Select from the options below to discover how they work:

A woman wearing a cochlear implant sound processor behind her ear.

Cochlear implants

If you have moderate to profound sensorineural hearing loss and your hearing aids are no longer effective enough, a cochlear implant may be the next step. Unlike hearing aids, which mostly amplify sounds, cochlear implants are designed to bypass the damaged part of the ear and directly stimulate the hearing nerve.

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A man wearing a Cochlear Osia bone conduction sound processor off his ear.

Bone conduction solutions

If you have single-sided deafness, conductive hearing loss or mixed hearing loss, a bone conduction solution may help. It's designed to use the body’s natural ability to deliver sound vibrations through the bones in your skull directly to your functional inner ear.

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A young woman holding a microphone smiling at her mother.

Hybrid™ cochlear implants

Hybrid™ cochlear implants combine hearing aid and cochlear implant technology. They are designed for people who can hear low-frequency sounds, such as a dog barking, but have difficulty hearing high-frequency sounds, such as whistles and chirps.

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Hearing with both ears

To support your hearing, you may want to consider a hearing solution designed to provide hearing with both ears. This may include bimodal hearing (a cochlear implant in one ear and a hearing aid in the other) or a bilateral solution (a hearing implant in both ears).

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Explore hearing implant options that may be available to you.

We're here to answer your questions and explain the possible next steps in your hearing journey.

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Benefits of a hearing implant

"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

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.

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Cochlear Nucleus implant recipient.

Cochlear stories: life with a Cochlear® device

People who know hearing loss speak about their experience. These inspirational stories give you real insights into life with a Cochlear™ device.

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A cochlear implant processor worn behind a person's ear.

Costs and funding

Understand the costs and funding options available for your Cochlear® hearing solution.

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Woman wearing a cochlear implant walking through an airport with a friend.

Implant surgery and preparation

Understanding what to expect during and after surgery can help you or your child feel more prepared and confident.

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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 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 the Cochlear™ Osia® System in Australia: The Osia System is indicated for patients with conductive, mixed hearing loss and single-sided sensorineural deafness (SSD) aged 5 years and above. 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 is not intended for a New Zealand audience.

References

  1. Runge CL, Henion K, Tarima S, Beiter A, Zwolan TA. Clinical Outcomes of the CochlearTM Nucleus® 5 Cochlear Implant System and SmartSoundTM 2 Signal Processing. Journal of the American Academy of Audiology [Internet]. 2016 [cited 2018 Oct 25];(6):425.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. JAMA Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery (2020): Gifford RH, Driscoll CLW, Davis TJ, et al. Assessment of Speech Understanding After Cochlear Implantation in Adult Hearing Aid Users: A Nonrandomized Controlled Trial. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2020;146(10):916-924. doi:10.1001/jamaoto.2020.1969.
  5. Kelsall D, Lupo J, Biever A. Longitudinal outcomes of cochlear implantation and bimodal hearing in a large group of adults: A multicenter clinical study. Am. J. Otolaryngol. 2021, 42 (1): 102773.
  6. 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.
  7. Boisvert I, Reis M, Au A, Cowan R, Dowell RC. Cochlear implantation outcomes in adults: A scoping review. PLOS ONE. 2020, 15 (5): e0232421.
  8. Monteiro, E., Shipp, D., Chen, J., Nedzelski, J., & Lin, V. 2012. Cochlear implantation: A personal and societal economic perspective examining the effects of cochlear implantation on personal income. Journal of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, 41(4) Manrique-Huarte R et al (2016) Treatment for hearing loss among the elderly: Auditory outcomes and impact on quality of life. Audiol Neurootol, 21 Suppl 1:29-35.
  9. 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): 357-332e.
  10. Hamerschmidt R, Santos VM, Gonçalves FM, Delcenserie A, Champoux F, de Araujo CM, de Lacerda ABM. Changes in cognitive performance after cochlear implantation in adults and older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis.. Int J Audiol. 2022 Mar 23:1-12. doi: 10.1080/14992027.2022.2050823. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35318870.
  11. Jayakody DMP, Friedland PL, Nel E, Martins RN, Atlas MD, Sohrabi HR. Impact of Cochlear Implantation on Cognitive Functions of Older Adults: Pilot Test Results. Otol Neurotol. 2017 Sep;38(8):e289-e295. doi: 10.1097/MAO.0000000000001502. PMID: 28806341.
  12. Mertens G, Andries E, Claes AJ, Topsakal V, Van de Heyning P, Van Rompaey V, Calvino M, Sanchez Cuadrado I, Muñoz E, Gavilán J, Bieñkowska K, Swierñiak W, Skarzyñski PH, Skarzyñski H, Tapper L, Killan C, Ridgwell J, McGowan J, Raine C, Tavora-Vieira D, Marino R, Acharya A, Lassaletta L. Cognitive Improvement After Cochlear Implantation in Older Adults With Severe or Profound Hearing Impairment: A Prospective, Longitudinal, Controlled, Multicenter Study. Ear Hear. 2021 May/Jun;42(3):606-614. doi: 10.1097/AUD.0000000000000962. PMID: 33055579; PMCID: PMC8088820.
  13. Yeo BSY, Song HJJMD, Toh EMS, Ng LS, Ho CSH, Ho R, Merchant RA, Tan BKJ, Loh WS. Association of Hearing Aids and Cochlear Implants With Cognitive Decline and Dementia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA Neurol. 2022 Dec 5. doi: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2022.4427. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36469314.
  14. Völter C, Götze L, Bajewski M, Dazert S, Thomas JP. Cognition and Cognitive Reserve in Cochlear Implant Recipients. Front Aging Neurosci. 2022 Mar 21;14:838214. doi: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.838214. PMID: 35391751; PMCID: PMC8980358.
  15. Sarant JZ, Busby PA, Schembri AJ, Fowler C and Harris DC (2024) ENHANCE: a comparative prospective longitudinal study of cognitive outcomes after 3 years of hearing aid use in older adults. Front. Aging Neurosci. 15:1302185. doi: 10.3389/fnagi.2023.1302185.
  16. Mosnier et al 2018 Long-term cognitive prognosis of profoundly deaf older adults after hearing rehabilitation using cochlear implants.