Although no cochlear implant can restore normal hearing, the following benefits are based on scientific data collected during U.S. - regulated clinical trials at multiple research centers. Almost all adults improve their communication abilities when using the implant in conjunction with lipreading. Some adults have a limited ability to use the telephone. Children Children are able to detect conversational level sounds, including speech, at comfortable loudness levels. Many children can distinguish among different speech patterns.
Many children can identify words from a set of alternatives without lipreading.
Some children exhibit improved lipreading. A few children can recognize speech without lipreading. After training and experience with the device, many children demonstrate improvements in speech. Prelinguistically deafened adults demonstrate limited benefit from a cochlear implant. Many improve in detection of sound, but only a few demonstrate improved lipreading after extensive training.