At LVHN, we use the latest cochlear implant technology and offer implant surgery for children and adults, eliminating the need to travel long distances to other medical facilities. We’re your partner on the journey to better hearing and a better quality of life.
For those with significant hearing loss, life can be a struggle. A cochlear implant can help. Much different than hearing aids, which amplify sound, cochlear implants stimulate the auditory nerve, and signals sent to the brain are interpreted as sound.
Who should get a cochlear implant?
Opting for a cochlear implant is a significant decision and should be made only after consulting with medical specialists, including an experienced cochlear-implant surgeon.
Cochlear implants are FDA-approved for use in eligible children beginning at 9 months old. Adults who develop severe or total hearing loss also may be suitable candidates.
After surgery, speech-language pathologists and audiologists are usually involved in helping the patient learn to interpret the sounds created by the implant.
Be sure to check to see if your medical insurance covers cochlear implant surgery.
We use leading-edge cochlear implant technology
LVHN and Lehigh Valley Institute for Surgical Excellence are among the first in the nation to offer the iotaSOFT Insertion System for adult cochlear implant surgery. The iotaSOFT system uses robotics, much more precise than the human hand, to carefully implant the electrode array in your inner ear, better protecting sensitive areas and giving you a higher standard of care.
Cochlear implants for children
Cochlear implants are an option for children 9 months and older with severe to profound hearing loss.
This treatment option can significantly improve a child’s ability to participate in school and develop their speech and language appropriately.
Many cochlear implants can now be tracked on your cellphone if pieces are lost, stream phone calls and play music. There are also products that allow individuals to swim with their cochlear implant and hear underwater.
Alex Barnes Learns to Speak After Cochlear Implants
Unlike a hearing aid, which amplifies sound, a cochlear implant bypasses the cochlea to directly stimulate the auditory nerve.