About cochlear implants
A cochlear implant is a small electronic device placed within your inner ear which may improve your hearing. It works by triggering your hearing nerve to send sound signals to your brain, bypassing damaged parts of your inner ear.
Cochlear implants are used by babies, children and adults worldwide.
Why you may need a cochlear implant
Tiny sensory cells inside our inner ear send sound signals to our hearing nerve. Hearing loss often happens when these cells become damaged.
If the cells are badly damaged:
- making sounds louder with hearing aids may not help
- speech can become unclear, even when sounds are loud enough.
If you or a loved one has severe to profound hearing loss that is not helped enough by hearing aids, your doctor may refer you to the Statewide Tertiary Adult Audiology Service for a cochlear implant assessment.
Paediatric services are provided at Fiona Stanley Hospital and Fremantle Hospital. These services are also available to paediatric patients living within the SMHS catchment (PDF 2MB) at Fiona Stanley Hospital and Fremantle Hospital.
How a cochlear implant works
A cochlear implant has two main parts:
- an internal implant – this is placed under your skin during surgery and includes electrodes that sit inside your inner ear
- an external sound processor – this picks up sound and sends it to the implant through the skin. It is worn behind the ear or on the bone behind the ear.
Both parts are needed for the implant to work.
How it differs from a hearing aid
How hearing aids and cochlear implants work – and how they help you hear – are quite different.
Fitting
Hearing aid: fitted by your hearing care provider in their office.
Cochlear implant: surgically implanted in hospital by an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist) and then programmed by a specialist audiologist in their office or hospital.
How it works
Hearing aid: makes sound louder but needs a clear pathway through the outer and middle ear.
Cochlear implant: sends electrical signals directly to the hearing nerve, bypassing damaged inner ear cells.
Signal type
Hearing aid: acoustic signal (sound waves).
Cochlear implant: electrical signal.
Access to sound
Hearing aid: depends on the health of your inner ear cells.
Cochlear implant: access to all sounds regardless of the health of your inner ear cells.
How quickly it works
Hearing aid: relatively quickly
Cochlear implant: improvements happen gradually. Most people notice improvement in the first three to six months. For some people, it may take 24 months or more to reach their best outcome.
Hearing and listening exercises (rehabilitation)
Hearing aid: little rehabilitation is needed.
Cochlear implant: you will need to complete ongoing hearing exercises and attend appointments. The implant needs to be worn at least eight hours each day with additional rehabilitation work.
How you wear it
Hearing aid: most people with moderately-severe or profound hearing losses wear an ear mould or dome that sits within the ear canal, connected to a hearing aid which sits behind the ear.
Cochlear implant: a sound processor sits either behind the ear, or on the bone behind the ear, connected to the implant by magnetic attraction. An ear mould/dome is not required.
Learn about a cochlear implant assessment
Read what to expect at cochlear implant assessment and how to get referred to the Statewide Tertiary Adult Audiology Service.Your appointment letter will note the location of your outpatient appointment.
Read how to manage your outpatient appointment using the Manage my Care app.
Fiona Stanley Hospital patients
Call the Fiona Stanley Helpdesk on 6152 2222 and ask for your specific clinic or audiologist.
Outpatient clinics are located on the ground floor of the main hospital building, off the main concourse. The main entrance to the hospital is accessed off Robin Warren Drive – view the Fiona Stanley Hospital map (PDF 1MB).
Fremantle Hospital patients
Call the Fremantle Hospital switchboard on 9431 3333 and ask for your specific clinic or audiologist.
Please go to B Block Level 4, Fremantle Hospital, Alma St Fremantle – view the Fremantle Hospital map (PDF 675KB).
Royal Perth Hospital patients
Call Royal Perth Hospital switchboard on 9224 2244 and ask for your specific clinic.
The Outpatient Audiology and ENT Department is located Level 4, Nicholay Block – see the Royal Perth Hospital map (external site).
Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital patients
Call Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital switchboard on 6457 3333 and ask for your specific clinic. The Outpatient Audiology and ENT Department is located on E Block, Ground Floor, Area 2 – see the Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital map (external site).
Opening hours
8:00am to 4:00pm, Monday to Friday.