We know that now that she has this ability, we have to work with her to teach her to listen to sounds and to help her in her language. That life has already begun, with Alivia's parents and siblings teaching her simple songs and reading books aloud to her. Someday, they'll be able to tell her the story of how she made medical history. Cochlear implants are used in more than 80 countries. The devices were approved for use by the Food and Drug Administration in 1985 for adults and in 1990 for children.
Patients currently receive a cochlear implant in one ear.
About four to six weeks later, an audiologist will add the components outside the ear, turn the implant on for the first time and tune it up. Additional tuning at later checkups helps customize the sound and speech processor for each patient. Cochlear implants are best for adults and children who have severe to profound hearing loss in both ears, limited benefit from hearing aids and a strong desire to be part of the hearing world. Children who receive the implants are placed in educational programs to help them develop auditory skills.