For those with severe hearing loss or deafness, a cochlear implant may help. The electronic device works to restore partial hearing to individuals by bypassing damaged parts of the ear and directly stimulating the nerve — allowing individuals to receive sound. Saint Francis hearing specialists work with adults and pediatric patients to determine what type of hearing procedure is right for each particular situation.

How Cochlear Implants Work

Cochlear implants are made up of two main pieces:

1. an internal piece that is surgically implanted; and
2. an external piece worn behind the ear.

The internal piece is an electronic device that connects to electrodes placed in the cochlea. The external piece includes a microphone, speech processor and battery. The microphone captures sound and the speech processor translates the sound to electrical signals. The signals are then transmitted to the internal piece where the electrodes stimulate the auditory nerve fibers to send the signals to the brain. The brain then interrupts the signals into meaningful sound. The sounds do not equate to what's considered normal hearing, however, they give users a tool to help understand speech and environmental sounds.

Are Cochlear Implants Right for Me or My Child?

At Saint Francis, cochlear implants are an option for both adult and pediatric patients.

Adult Cochlear Implants

Adult cochlear implant surgery is generally outpatient under general anesthesia. Because a patient goes under general anesthesia, he or she will need someone to drive them home.

There are several factors that go into how successful cochlear implants will be to an individual adult. Your otolaryngologist or audiologist will go over these when discussing cochlear implants as a treatment option. Factors include:

• how long a person has had severe hearing loss or deafness;
• the number of surviving nerves in the ear; and
• the patient's willingness to re-learn how to hear.

Pediatric Cochlear Implants

Pediatric cochlear surgery may be inpatient or outpatient — depending on the child. Inpatient stays are typically no longer than one day. Pediatric considerations include:

• age of child;
• how long the child has had severe hearing loss or deafness;
• level of language development; and
• degree to which the family/caregivers can be involved in post-op therapies and education.

What to Expect After Surgery

Surgery is simply the first step. Once healed, the patient will come back to have the speech processor activated. Many adult patients will notice an immediate improvement in communication. However, additional appointments may be needed to further the learning process.

Pediatric cochlear implant recipients will also need to come back to have the speech processor activated. Depending on the age of the child, they may take longer to improve as the brain learns to communicate. Speech pathologists and audiologists will work with the child to further the learning process. Parents/caregivers are also very involved in this process as kids learn to speak by hearing those close to them talk.

Make an Appointment with our ENT and Audiology Experts

Tulsa Area ENT and Audiology Office

6475 South Yale Avenue [Map] 
Natalie Medical Building, Suite 401 
Tulsa, OK 74136 
918-502-9555 
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McAlester Area ENT and Audiology Office

1401 East Van Buren Avenue [Map] 
McAlester, OK 74501 
918-421-8460

Muskogee Area ENT and Audiology Office

101 Rockefeller Drive, Suite 201 [Map] 
Muskogee, OK 74401 
918-682-4580

Learn More About Healthcare Services Provided Through Saint Francis

The physicians, staff and volunteers of Saint Francis Health System are dedicated to the healthcare of our communities in eastern Oklahoma. To learn more about services provided through Saint Francis, click on the links below or call the Saint Francis HealthLink at 918-488-6688.

Adult Healthcare Services 
Childbirth and Newborn Services 
Pediatric Healthcare Services 
Emergency/After-hours Care