It’s more common than you may think: one in three of us over 65 have some form of hearing loss. And not being able to hear well isn’t just a nuisance. According to the National Institute on Deafness, untreated hearing loss can contribute to social isolation and take a toll on our health.
Despite the fact that we’re missing out on conversations, a lot of adults with age-related hearing loss simply tolerate their increasingly silent worlds, largely due to dissatisfaction with hearing aid technologies.
The Benefits of Cochlear Implants
Cochlear implants are surgically installed electronic devices that stimulate the auditory nerve. First approved for use in the mid-1980s, cochlear implants are best known for helping deaf children hear. However, they’ve been increasingly used to restore hearing in adults with age-related hearing loss.
In a study published in JAMA Otolaryngol, 94 patients between the ages of 65 and 85 received cochlear implants. Results indicated that the implants not only improved seniors’ hearing, but their moods as well. Patients noted an improvement in speech perception, depressive symptoms, cognitive function and overall quality of life.
How Do Cochlear Implants Work?
Cochlear implants convert sound waves into electrical currents and transmit them to the auditory nerve. The brain interprets these signals as sounds.
While hearing aids are external devices, cochlear implants include both internal and external components. An internal receiver and electrodes are surgically placed inside the ear, and under the skin behind the ear. The external components — a microphone, sound processor and transmitter — are usually attached just outside the ear via a magnet that holds the external components in close proximity to the internal components.
Unlike hearing aids, which merely make sounds louder, cochlear implants send sound signals to the brain in an entirely different way. This process is not the same as normal hearing, but with time and practice, most people can learn to hear well with a cochlear implant.
Are Cochlear Implants Covered by Medicare?
Medicare, Medicaid and the Veteran’s Administration have covered cochlear implants since 2004. Most private insurance companies cover them as well. According to the latest Medicare guidelines, cochlear implants “may be covered for individuals…with hearing test scores of greater than 40% and less than or equal to 60%.” In other words, if you can understand at least 40% of the words and sentences spoken during a hearing test, but less than 60%, you may qualify for a Medicare-covered cochlear implant.
Important Considerations About Cochlear Implants
Cochlear implantation is most effective if the patient still has some hearing capabilities. As a result, experts suggest that adults consider cochlear implantation sooner, rather than later. You’re more likely to have an excellent outcome if you have a cochlear implant as soon as you’re eligible for one. But cochlear implantation isn’t for everyone. Because the internal components are surgically implanted, you must be healthy enough to tolerate surgery. Surgery also carries risks, including infection and harm to the auditory nerve or ear.
Learning to use a cochlear implant also takes time and dedication. Your hearing won’t be miraculously restored after surgery. In fact, the external transmitter and processor are not put in place and programmed until about a month after surgery, and you’ll need to participate in auditory training for a few weeks.
