Cochlear implants for children
Cochlear implants are designed to help children with severe to profound hearing loss. Being able to hear opens up a world of possibilities for children and parents. Find out how.
What you'll find on this page
- See how a child’s life has been transformed by a cochlear implant
- Find out if your child qualifies for a cochlear implant
- Learn about the benefits of cochlear implants
For children with severe to profound hearing loss, a cochlear implant can provide the potential for them to attend a dance class, listen to music, ride a bike and more, just like Raelyn. Watch her story below.
“When Raelyn was first diagnosed with profound hearing loss, our family was saddened, and we didn’t know what to expect for Raelyn’s future. And then we found out about cochlear implants... Now I feel like she is unstoppable. Her future is looking very bright.”
- Jeanette H. - mother of Nucleus® recipient
Does your child qualify for a cochlear implant?
Cochlear implants are approved for children with severe to profound hearing loss in both ears - or single sided deafness.*
- Children 9 - 24 months: Profound sensorineural hearing loss in both ears and limited benefit from hearing aids in both ears - or single sided deafness.*
- Children 2 - 17 years: Severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss in both ears with limited benefit from hearing aids. To qualify, speech scores while using hearing aids need to be less than or equal to 30% correct on MLNT test.
Note: Wearing hearing aids first is a necessary step in the evaluation process for a cochlear implant.
A hearing health professional who specializes in all types of hearing technology, including implantable hearing solutions, will be able to advise if your child may benefit from a cochlear implant.
Will your child benefit from a cochlear implant?
Research and decades of experience demonstrate that cochlear implants often provide improved:
- Auditory awareness of sounds at levels within the normal range of hearing1
- Speech understanding, sound clarity and language skills1
- Hearing in noisy environments2
- Quality of life2
- Educational outcomes3 with the potential to attend a mainstream school
Introducing the Cochlear™ Nucleus® Nexa® System
Your child is unique and their hearing solution should be, too. With our Cochlear Nucleus Nexa System, we help your child hear their best with more choices of wearing options, wireless connectivity solutions and personalized services. This means providing your child with an innovative cochlear implant solution that includes the world's most reliable implants4-6, Apple® and Android™ device compatibility^ and proven hearing performance for a lifetime.
Find a Hearing Implant Specialist near you
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 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 health professional to determine if you are a candidate for Cochlear technology.
For a full list of Cochlear’s trademarks, please visit our Terms of Use page.
Apple, iPhone, iPad and iPod touch are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.
Android and Google Play are registered trademarks of Google Inc.
*In the United States, the Cochlear Nucleus Implant System is intended for use in children 9 to 24 months of age who have bilateral profound sensorineural deafness and demonstrate limited benefit from appropriate binaural hearing aids. Children two years of age or older may demonstrate severe to profound hearing loss bilaterally. In Canada, the Cochlear Nucleus Implant System is intended for use in children 12 to 24 months of age who have bilateral profound sensorineural deafness and demonstrate limited benefit from appropriate binaural hearing aids. Children two years of age or older may demonstrate severe to profound hearing loss bilaterally. For US and Canada, Single-Sided Deafness: 5 years of age or older. In the ear to be implanted, a severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss defined as a PTA at 500 Hz, 1000 Hz, 2000 Hz and 4000 Hz of > 80 dB HL. In the contralateral ear, normal or near normal hearing is defined as a PTA at 500 Hz, 1000 Hz, 2000 Hz and 4000 Hz ≤ 30 dB HL. In the ear to be implanted, an appropriately fit unilateral hearing device demonstrates a limited benefit through a score of less than or equal to 5% on a Consonant Nucleus Consonant (CNC) word test.
^For information regarding the compatibility of Cochlear’s sound processors with Apple or Android devices, visit www.cochlear.com/compatibility
References
- Novak MA, Firszt JB, Rotz LA, et al. Cochlear implants in infants and toddlers. Ann Otol Rhino Laryngol Suppl 2000;185:46-49.
- Hirschfelder A, Gräbel S, Olze H. The impact of cochlear implantation on quality of life: The role of audiologic performance and variables. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2008 Mar;138(3): 357-362.
- Semenov, YR, Yeh, ST, Seshamani, M, Wang, N-Y, Tobey, EA, Eisenberg, LS, Quittner, AL, Frick, KD, Niparko, JK, CDaCI Investigative Team. Age-Dependent cost-utility of pediatric cochlear implantation. Ear Hear. Feb 2013;34(4):402-412.
- Cochlear Limited. D2325238 V1 2025-04. Cochlear Nucleus Reliability Report (Simplified) Volume 23, December 2024.
- Advanced Bionics Reliability Report July 2024. 028-Q048-02 Rev F. Advanced Bionics AG and affiliates.; 2024.
- MED-EL Cochlear Implant Systems Reliability Report October 2024. M00815 r5.0. MED-EL Medical Electronics.; 2024.