Is your hearing holding you back? Are your hearing aids no longer enough? A better quality of life is possible.
We’re here for you – before, during, and after – making your cochlear implant experience positive, effective and supported.
Make the most of world-class standards and procedures, with Neurosensory’s ENT partner network.
Changing lives and getting better hearing results for over 45 years.
Clinics across NSW, VIC, QLD and TAS.
As one of the largest and most respected providers of cochlear implant services in Australia, you’re in the best of hands.
Our specialists will cut through the noise and give you an expert recommendation on a hearing solution that is most suitable for you, your lifestyle and your needs.
Over time, we find that some hearing aid wearers report ongoing difficulties following conversations clearly. This occurs, despite trialling the latest advancements in hearing aid technology. In these instances, an implantable hearing solution such as a Cochlear Implant may be considered.
If your answer to one or more of these questions is YES, you may be eligible and benefit from a cochlear implant and new technologies.
When wearing your hearing aid/s do you:
‘For a time, my specialist kept referring me to get stronger hearing aids. Until I finally said to him, look these aren’t working for me.’ Read Odette’s story…
‘Finally it was determined that I was eligible for the operation and [I received the] magic Cochlear Ear. I had a few days in hospital and then had to wait to turn it on.’ Read David’s story…
It is time when you struggle to hear conversation even when wearing hearing aids or have a severe hearing loss in at least one ear.
For many people with a severe hearing loss, hearing aids provide volume but limited clarity. This is because of damage to hair cells in the inner ear.
The cochlear implant replaces the function of the damaged inner ear. This enhances clarity of sound and improves ability to understand speech.
The cochlear implant consists of an external sound processor and an implant. The surgeon positions the implant under the skin and into the inner ear. The part in the inner ear has 22 tiny hearing electrodes.
You will attend an appointment with an Implant Audiologist where you will complete speech tests to find out how much you understand with hearing aids on (you will be asked to repeat words and sentences). Based on your score we can determine if you will do better with a cochlear implant or a hearing aid.
A. The Sound Processor picks up sound (eg. Speech)
B. Sound sent through the coil to the implant under the skin
C. Signal moves to the inner ear where the tiny electrodes are stimulated. The hearing nerve picks up the signals and sends them to the brain.
Step 1 – Audiology Assessment
Step 2 – Appointment with Implant Surgeon
Step 3 – Surgery
Step 4 – Implant ‘Switch On’
Cochlear implant cost is covered by private health insurance. Silver level or higher hospital cover is needed. Audiology fees in the first year will be around $2000 to $3000. Other expenses include gap payments for the anaesthetist and implant surgeon.
After the first year there is an annual programming appointment. The out-of-pocket cost for this appointment is $145 ($89 if you have a pension card).
If cost is preventing you from hearing better, please talk to us about repayment plans or subsidies available.
A cochlear implant sounds unusual at first. It has been described as sounding electronic and a bit like a chipmunk. Over a period of 3 to 12 months the ability to understand speech improves substantially and almost all adults report that the clarity is far superior to a hearing aid.
There is no age limit. Many clients at Neurosensory were over 80 years of age when they first received a cochlear implant. All clients report an improved quality of life, less frustration and increased independence.
No. Initially cochlear implants were only for people who had profound hearing loss. However, technology and surgical procedures have improved over the intervening 30 years. Hence, cochlear implants now provide substantial benefit to people who still have some hearing but struggle to hear conversation clearly.
Yes! Hearing from two ears has many benefits. These include better understanding of speech in noise and improved ability to tell the direction of sound.
Over 70% of Neurosensory clients can use the phone. Phone calls can even be streamed directly to the implant from a mobile phone which improves clarity and ease of listening.
Cochlear implant surgery takes approximately 1 to 2 hours and involves an overnight stay in hospital.
Most people take a week off work. They are then able to resume normal activities.
Cochlear implants have less than a 2% failure rate. Hence, there is rarely a need to remove/replace them.
Initially you will get an implant on one ear. Many of our clients enjoy the benefits of a second implant 6 to 12 months later.
The sound processor (external part) is removed for showers, swimming and sleeping. The implant is completely under the skin so is not effected. A waterproof case can be purchased if you would like to swim when wearing your sound processor.
Most clients experience immediate benefits at switch on with noticeable improvements continuing over the next three months. The results do vary greatly from person to person. To optimise progress, it is recommended to follow your home based listening program which will be provided to you by your audiologist.
In the first year most clients attend 3 to 6 appointments in the first year. Subsequent years, 1 to 2 appointments. All appointments in the first year are covered by the initial clinical fee and there are no additional costs.
A cochlear implant doesn’t restore hearing back to normal. You will always have some difficulty hearing in very noisy situations. You may continue to require subtitles for movies on TV and some people will only be able to understand conversation in quiet. However, despite these cochlear implant limitations, almost everyone reports improved quality of life and are happy with the benefits provided by their cochlear implant.
Book a cochlear implant assessment appointment at Neurosensory. This will be a 1 to 2 hour appointment booked with an Implant Audiologist.
At this appointment you will be given information as to whether you will benefit from a cochlear implant.