Individuals who receive little to no benefit from hearing aids are usually considered to be candidates for a cochlear implant. In other words, a cochlear implant can be considered when significantly better hearing ability can be achieved from a cochlear implant compared to the most optimally fitted hearing aids. Current cochlear implant technology works so well that the candidacy criteria is expanding rapidly. The following are generally accepted candidate criteria:
Infants: 6 months or older with profound hearing loss in both ears
Children: 2 years and older with severe to profound hearing loss in both ears
Adults: 18 years and older with moderate to profound hearing loss in both ears
Limited benefit from optimally fitted hearing aids with speech understanding test scores less than 50%.
No medical contraindications
High motivation and appropriate expectations
Participation in an educational or training program that emphasizes auditory skills and oral communication