Cochlear implants are amazing, but they are not magic. They do not restore “normal” hearing, but they do dramatically improve the ability of most cochlear implant recipients to access speech and environmental sounds. When the implant is activated, most patients do not recognize speech from the cochlear implant. Sound quality and speech understanding will improve over time, not immediately. Things may not sound like you remember.
If our team has determined you are a good candidate for a cochlear implant, this means that with the proper programming, consistent use of the device, hearing therapy, and daily at-home listening practice, then over time you should receive more hearing benefit from a cochlear implant than you are currently receiving from a hearing aid. As a group, individuals with a cochlear implant are pleased with the benefit they receive. Progress in speech understanding can be measured with the passing months and even after one year of cochlear implant use.
For more detailed information, please refer to the [Adult CI Expectations](#) and [Pediatric CI Expectations](#) documents.