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Hearing better may help you live better

Hearing your best is an important part of healthy living, especially as we get older. But it’s more important than our ability to hear sounds – it’s essential to our physical and mental wellbeing.1 

Check your hearing and find the solution for you

Did you know there are different stages of hearing loss and treatments? By getting your hearing checked regularly, you can get the right help quickly.

Even if you have milder degrees of hearing loss, exploring all options early is particularly important as hearing loss can progress over time.2-4

Take our free Hearing Aid Check and see whether you should consider other options for better hearing.

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Takes 10-15 minutes

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Immediate performance results

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

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

Hearing aids help many people by making sounds they hear louder. Unfortunately, as hearing loss progresses, sounds need to not only be louder, they need to be made clearer. Cochlear implants may help give you that clarity, even in noisy environments.5-8

At 12 months, 97% of adults with a cochlear implant experienced significant improvement in speech understanding compared to a hearing aid.9 

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

Hearing aids help many people by making sounds they hear louder. Unfortunately, as hearing loss progresses, sounds need to not only be louder, they need to be made clearer. Cochlear implants may help give you that clarity, even in noisy environments.5-8

At 12 months, 97% of adults with a cochlear implant experienced significant improvement in speech understanding compared to a hearing aid.9 

Quality of sound may improve your quality of life

Hearing is not just about being able to hear words and sounds. It goes to the heart of a person’s health and wellbeing, and overall quality of life.10-12 Your ability to hear clearly can help you stay connected to the world, so you can embrace life with enthusiasm and confidence.13-15 

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Treating hearing loss early can allow you to think and focus more clearly.16-18

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Quality of life has been shown to improve significantly in adults with a cochlear implant.19

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Many cochlear implant recipients are able to reconnect with the joy of music.20-21

Discover how Cochlear has helped others regain their quality of life

    If you are experiencing hearing loss, you’re not alone.

    If you are experiencing hearing loss, you’re not alone.

    Did you know that 2 in 3 adults over the age of 60 years’ experience some degree of hearing loss? This increases to more than 4 in 5 adults aged 80 years and older.22-23 Hearing loss affects most people as we get older and you are never too old to potentially benefit from a cochlear implant.

    Take the next step now to take control of your hearing loss. 

     
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    If you are experiencing hearing loss, you’re not alone.

    Did you know that 2 in 3 adults over the age of 60 years’ experience some degree of hearing loss? This increases to more than 4 in 5 adults aged 80 years and older.22-23 Hearing loss affects most people as we get older and you are never too old to potentially benefit from a cochlear implant.

    Take the next step now to take control of your hearing loss. 

     

    Frequently asked questions

    We hope the following contains some of the answers you need to take the next step. Connect with an expert for answers to any questions not listed here.

    There are five stages of hearing loss:

    Grade 1 Hearing Loss (Hearing Number 20-34): Difficulty hearing soft conversations. You may feel like background noise drowns out conversations.

    Grade 2 Hearing Loss (Hearing Number 35-49): Difficulty with normal conversations. You may feel like you need to keep turning up the volume on the TV or radio.

    Grade 3 Hearing Loss (Hearing Number 50-64): People need to consistently raise their voice for you to hear them. You may have difficulty participating in group conversations.

    Grade 4 Hearing Loss (Hearing Number 65-79): Even with hearing aids, it may be difficult for you to understand what people say.

    Grade 5 Hearing Loss (Hearing Number 80+): In noisy environments, you cannot hear conversations at all, even if people raise their voice.

    Cochlear implants are an established treatment for people of any age with grade 4 or 5 hearing loss when hearing aids are no longer enough/no longer provide enough clarity of sound.24-25

    Learn more about different types of hearing loss here.

     

    Unlike hearing aids, cochlear implants are typically covered by Medicare. They are also covered by many insurance plans and typically Medicaid.** Learn more about how much hearing implants cost.

    Yes, you can connect with others who have been exactly where you are and want to help. They know what you’re going through and want you to know you are not alone. Make a connection with one of our Cochlear volunteers.

    Cochlear implant surgery is fairly routine and typically performed under general anesthesia. Getting a cochlear implant is typically an outpatient procedure that takes around two hours per ear. Learn more about the surgery here. 

    Disclaimer
    For candidates residing in Canada, you should contact your local hearing implant center to determine coverage. The cost of a hearing implant may be covered by your provincial and territory health insurance plan. Every health insurance plan is different. Coverage varies by each province and territory, the type of hearing implant you may need and your hearing loss.
    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 hearing health provider to determine if you are a candidate for Cochlear technology. Outcomes and results may vary.
    * The Hybrid L24 Implant is approved in the US only for adults 18 and older.
    ** Covered for Medicare beneficiaries who meet CMS criteria for coverage. Coverage for adult Medicaid recipients varies according to state specific guidelines. Contact your insurance provider or hearing implant specialist to determine your eligibility for coverage.

    References

    1. Deafness and hearing loss. World Health Organization; 2023. Available at https://www.who.int/news-room/factsheets/detail/deafness-and-hearing-loss. [Last accessed April 2023]. 
    2. World Report on Hearing. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2021. License: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO
    3. Huang Q, Tang J. Age-related hearing loss or presbycusis. European archives of oto-rhino-laryngology : official journal of the European Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (EUFOS) : affiliated with the German Society for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - Head and Neck Surgery [Internet]. 2010 Aug;267(8):1179–91
    4. Yueh B, Collins MP, Souza PE, Boyko EJ, Loovis CF, Heagerty PJ, et al. Long-term effectiveness of screening for hearing loss: the screening for auditory impairment--which hearing assessment test (SAIWHAT) randomized trial. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society [Internet]. 2010;58(3):427–34.
    5. Carlson ML. Cochlear Implantation in Adults. New England journal of medicine [Internet]. 2020;382(16):1531–42.
    6. 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
    7. 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.
    8. Boisvert I, Reis M, Au A, Cowan R, Dowell RC. Cochlear implantation outcomes in adults: A scoping review. PLOS ONE. 2020, 15 (5): e0232421.
    9. 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
    10. World report on hearing. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2021. License: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO.
    11. Hughes SE, Boisvert I, McMahon CM, Steyn A, Neal K. Perceived listening ability and hearing loss: Systematic review and qualitative meta-synthesis. PloS one [Internet]. 2022 Oct 25;17(10): e0276265.
    12. Dalton DS, Cruickshanks KJ, Klein BEK, Klein R, Wiley TL, Nondahl DM. The impact of hearing loss on quality of life in older adults. The Gerontologist [Internet]. 2003;43(5):661 8p.
    13. World report on hearing. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2021. License: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO.
    14. Hughes SE, Boisvert I, McMahon CM, Steyn A, Neal K. Perceived listening ability and hearing loss: Systematic review and qualitative meta-synthesis. PloS one [Internet]. 2022 Oct 25;17(10): e0276265.
    15. Dalton DS, Cruickshanks KJ, Klein BEK, Klein R, Wiley TL, Nondahl DM. The impact of hearing loss on quality of life in older adults. The Gerontologist [Internet]. 2003;43(5):661 8p.
    16. Blustein, J., Weinstein, B. E., & Chodosh, J. (2023). It is time to change our message about hearing loss and dementia. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. 2023;71(8):2676–9.
    17. Carasek, N., Lamounier, P., Maldi, I. G., Bernardes, M. N. D., Ramos, H. V. L., Costa, C. C., & Bahmad Jr, F. (2022). Is there benefit from the use of cochlear implants and hearing aids in cognition for older adults? A systematic review. Frontiers in Epidemiology, 2, 934750
    18. Buchman CA, Gifford RH, Haynes DS, Lenarz T, O’Donoghue G, Adunka O, et al. Unilateral Cochlear Implants for Severe, Profound, or Moderate Sloping to Profound Bilateral Sensorineural Hearing Loss: A Systematic Review and Consensus Statements. JAMA otolaryngology-- head & neck surgery. 2020;146(10):942–53.
    19. Völter C, Götze L, Dazert S, Falkenstein M, Thomas JP. Can cochlear implantation improve neurocognition in the aging population? Clin Interv 2018, 13: 701–712
    20. Looi V, McDermott H, McKay C, Hickson L. Comparisons of Quality Ratings for Music by Cochlear Implant and Hearing Aid Users. EAR AND HEARING. 2007;28(2):59S–61S.
    21. Warren C, et al. Controlled comparative clinical trial of hearing benefit outcomes for users of the Cochlear™ Nucleus® 7 Sound Processor with mobile connectivity. Cochlear Implants Int. 2019 May;20(3):116-126.
    22. World report on hearing. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2021. License: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO.
    23. Cruickshanks KJ, Wiley TL, Tweed TS, Klein BE, Klein R, Mares-Perlman JA, et al. Prevalence of hearing loss in older adults in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. The Epidemiology of Hearing Loss Study. American journal of epidemiology [Internet]. 1998;148(9):879–86
    24. 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.
    25. Leigh JR, Dettman SJ, Dowell RC. Evidence-based guidelines for recommending cochlear implantation for young children: Audiological criteria and optimizing age at implantation. International journal of audiology [Internet]. 2016;55: S9–18.