Current Federal Drug Administration (FDA) criteria for cochlear implantation in infants and children: age 12 months or older; infants younger than 18 months, hearing loss must be profound in both ears (thresholds must be greater than 90 dB HL); children 18 months and older, hearing loss may be severe-to-profound in both ears; hearing loss must be sensorineural (inner ear); the child must show limited benefit with appropriately fit hearing devices; the child must show lack of progress with auditory skill development; the child must be medically cleared for surgery; the child must have no physical contraindications for surgery (can be determined from a CT scan); and the family must have realistic expectations and be committed to follow-up appointments required after implantation.