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The effects of hearing loss go beyond sound

Hearing loss affects most people as we get older.1 If it’s impacting your life, cochlear implants have been shown to improve quality of life in older adults with severe to profound hearing loss, including better memory and focus, along with greater independence and social connection.2-5 Take a hearing quiz to help determine your next steps.

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.6-8

Take a hearing quiz and quickly assess potential hearing loss that may require an objective hearing test and a possible hearing solution.

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Takes about 5 minutes

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Accessible on most devices

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Immediate results

Quality of sound may improve your quality of life

Healthy hearing is more than just being able to hear - it's deeply connected to your overall health and wellbeing. Monitoring and treating hearing loss early can help you stay socially connected, mentally engaged, and physically safe.9 In fact, a majority of studies show an improvement in different areas of cognition, including memory and focus, a year after receiving a cochlear implant.10-11

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Untreated severe hearing loss can increase the risk of memory and thinking problems by as much as five times.12

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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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Many cochlear implant recipients are able to reconnect with the joy of music.16-17

Real experiences with life beyond hearing aids

Real experiences with life beyond hearing aids

Cochlear recipients share how their world changed when they received their implantable hearing solutions.

 

Real experiences with life beyond hearing aids

Cochlear recipients share how their world changed when they received their implantable hearing solutions.

 

Hearing aids got you this far. A cochlear implant could take you further

Hearing aids got you this far. A cochlear implant could take you further

If you're struggling to hear clearly, even with your hearing aids, it's important to talk to your hearing healthcare professional about your options, understand how a cochlear implant is different and get the right solution for your hearing loss.

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Hearing aids got you this far. A cochlear implant could take you further

If you're struggling to hear clearly, even with your hearing aids, it's important to talk to your hearing healthcare professional about your options, understand how a cochlear implant is different and get the right solution for 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 with grade 4 or 5 hearing loss when hearing aids are no longer enough/no longer provide enough clarity of sound.18-19

Learn more about different types of hearing loss.

 

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.

 

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 hearing health provider to determine if you are a candidate for Cochlear technology. Outcomes and results may vary.

** 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. World report on hearing. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2021. License: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO.
2. Mertens G, Andries E, Claes AJ, Topsakal V, Van de Heyning P, Van Rompaey V, Calvino M, Cuadrado IS, Muñoz E, Gavilán J, Bieńkowska K. Cognitive improvement after cochlear implantation in older adults with severe or profound hearing impairment: a prospective, longitudinal, controlled, multicenter study. Ear and hearing. 2021 May 1;42(3):606-14.
3. Sarant JZ, Busby PA, Schembri AJ, Briggs RJS, Masters CL, Harris DC. COCHLEA: Longitudinal Cognitive Performance of Older Adults with Hearing Loss and Cochlear Implants at 4.5-Year Follow-Up. Brain Sci. 2024;14(12):1279. Published 2024 Dec 19. doi:10.3390/brainsci14121279
4. Cuda D, Manrique M, Ramos Á, Marx M, Bovo R, Khnifes R, Hilly O, Belmin J, Stripeikyte G, Graham PL, James CJ. Improving quality of life in the elderly: hearing loss treatment with cochlear implants. BMC geriatrics. 2024 Jan 4;24(1):16.
5. Tang D, Tran Y, Lo C, Lee JN, Turner J, McAlpine D, McMahon C, Gopinath B. The benefits of cochlear implantation for adults: A systematic umbrella review. Ear and Hearing. 2024 Jul 1;45(4):801-7.
6. World Report on Hearing. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2021. License: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO
7. 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
8. 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.
9. Deafness and hearing loss. World Health Organization; 2023. Available at https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/deafness-and-hearing-loss. [Last accessed April 2023]. Online only.
10. Amini AE, Naples JG, Hwa T, et al. Emerging Relations among Cognitive Constructs and Cochlear Implant Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2023;169(4):792-810. doi:10.1002/ohn.344
11. Vandenbroeke T, Andries E, Lammers MJ, Hofkens-Van den Brandt A, Mertens G, Van Rompaey V. Cochlear implantation and cognitive function in the older adult population: current state of the art and future perspectives. Brazilian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology. 2025 May 1;91(3):101544.
12. Lin FR, Metter EJ, O'Brien RJ, Resnick SM, Zonderman AB, Ferrucci L. Hearing loss and incident dementia. Arch Neurol. 2011;68(2):214-220. doi:10.1001/archneurol.2010.362
13. 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.
14. 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.
15. Shoham N, Lewis G, Favarato G, Cooper C. Prevalence of anxiety disorders and symptoms in people with hearing impairment: a systematic review. Social psychiatry and psychiatric epidemiology. 2019;54(6):649–60.
16. 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.
17. 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.
18. 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.
19. 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.