Cochlear Implants in Joliet, New Lenox and Morris, IL

What is a cochlear implant?

A cochlear implant is a medical device that is surgically implanted into the inner ear to help people with severe to profound hearing loss. Unlike traditional hearing aids that only make sounds louder, a cochlear implant bypasses damaged parts of the ear and directly stimulates the hearing nerve, also called the cochlear nerve. This allows sound to be sent straight to the brain, helping patients hear more clearly and understand speech better than with hearing aids alone.

What is the advantage of a cochlear implant compared to a traditional hearing aid?

Think of hearing as having two controls — volume and frequency, like on an old radio. Traditional hearing aids can turn up the volume, but if the frequency is off, words still won’t make sense. A cochlear implant helps correct that “frequency” issue by directly stimulating the cochlear nerve. This makes cochlear implants more effective for people whose hearing loss involves damage to the inner ear’s sensory cells.

A vintage-style wooden radio with a speaker on the left and a tuning display on the right. It features AM and FM frequencies, volume, band, and tuning knobs. The brand name SANGEAN and model WR-11 are visible on the front.

How Long Have Cochlear Implants Been Used?

While cochlear implants are advanced technology, they are not new. The first cochlear implant was placed in 1978. Since then, cochlear implants have become a proven and effective treatment for severe hearing loss in properly selected patients. These devices continue to evolve and improve every year, providing better results for both adults and children.

Are Cochlear Implants Expensive?

A cochlear implant device costs around $28,000, but it is typically covered by most health insurance plans. For many patients, the out-of-pocket cost for cochlear implant surgery is less than what they would spend on high-end hearing aids. Your provider will discuss your individual costs before scheduling surgery.

How Does a Cochlear Implant Work?

A cochlear implant system has two main parts: an external sound processor and an internal receiver/stimulator. The external processor picks up sounds and sends them through the skin to the internal implant using a magnet. The implant then sends signals through a tiny wire with electrodes that sit inside the cochlea, the snail-shaped part of the inner ear. These electrodes directly stimulate the cochlear nerve, allowing your brain to perceive sound. Over time, your brain learns to interpret these signals as speech and environmental sounds.

Will this be like my normal hearing?

When a cochlear implant is first activated, sounds may seem robotic or tinny. As your brain adapts, the sound quality becomes more natural. Some users even enjoy music through their cochlear implants, while others primarily benefit from improved speech understanding. Everyone’s experience is unique.

Diagram illustrating how a cochlear implant works. It shows a side view of an ear with labeled parts: transmitter, receiver/stimulator, electrode array, and a speech processor & microphone. An inset image highlights the external components.

How well can I expect to hear with a cochlear implant?

Results vary, but most users notice major improvement over time. Initially, your hearing might feel worse, which is normal. After about six months, most cochlear implant users understand around 80% of spoken sentences, with some reaching close to 100%. Almost all patients hear better with their cochlear implant than they did before surgery. In fact, cochlear implant surgery is one of the most rewarding procedures for both patients and surgeons because of the life-changing results.

  • Are 5x more satisfied with their ability to understand what is said on TV
  • Are 7x more satisfied with their ability to understand sentences
  • Are 11x more satisfied with their ability to hear on the phone
  • Have consistent improvement in quality of life
  • Have lowered risk of developing dementia compared to people with untreated profound hearing loss

What is the surgery like?

Cochlear implant surgery is performed under general anesthesia and usually takes about one hour. A small incision is made behind the ear, and no hair is shaved. In most cases, patients go home the same day. The incision is closed with dissolvable stitches, and you’ll remove your bandage the next day.

How is the recovery from surgery?

You will receive narcotic pain medication just in case, however most patients don’t need it. Tylenol and ibuprofen are usually enough to manage pain behind your ear. Recovery means different things to different people, and everyone bounces back at different rates. In general, after a couple of days of recovery patients are back to their normal routine. You can shower the day after surgery – it is ok to get the incision wet, but do not scrub directly on it. It helps healing to apply plain Vaseline daily to the incision.

What are the risks of surgery?

Cochlear implant surgery is very safe overall, but as with any surgery, there are risks.

  • Anesthesia
  • Bleeding
  • Aborted surgery – If something unexpected is found during surgery making implantation impossible or dangerous, surgery may need to be aborted.
  • Infection – In rare cases, this can make removal of the implant necessary.
  • Device failure – Uncommon, but this could require replacement of the implant in the future.
  • Facial nerve injury – Rare.
  • Dr. Bartindale always tries to preserve your remaining natural hearing, but some hearing is always lost. It is frequently completely lost.

Can I get an MRI with a cochlear implant?

Yes. This is a recent innovation.

Am I too old for this?

The answer is always NO! If you are healthy enough to tolerate general anesthesia, there is no age too old to be a cochlear implant candidate. It is common to implant patients in their 90s

Ok, I’m interested. What is the process?

  • Cochlear implant evaluation – This is a hearing test where you wear your hearing aids to see how you do in real-life situations to determine if you are a good cochlear implant candidate.
  • Insurance precertification – We will submit to your insurance to make sure everything will be covered.
  • Device selection – You will choose the specific device and accessories you would like with your audiologist.
  • Clearance – We will request clearance from your primary doctor to make sure you are healthy enough for surgery.
  • Imaging – Sometimes Dr. Bartindale will need you to obtain a CT or MRI before surgery.
  • Pneumovax – The CDC recommends all patients receive this vaccine before a cochlear implant due to a slightly increased risk of meningitis. This is two injections 8 weeks apart. You need to get the first injection before surgery.
  • Surgery
  • Activation – One week after surgery with your audiologist.
  • Reprogramming – You will meet with your audiologist periodically to reprogram your cochlear implant. At first you will meet monthly and over time it will be less frequently.

Learning how to hear with a cochlear implant is not a passive process, it takes work. Users who are motivated and work at it will have better results. If a patient has a hip replacement, they need to do physical therapy to recover – along the same lines, to use your cochlear implant to its greatest potential, working to listen actively and use it frequently will help you hear again. With effort you will be rewarded. Users often don’t realize how much they had been missing until they can hear again. Families often remark at how users are engaged in their conversations again for the first time in years.

I qualify for a cochlear implant. Should I do this?

Cochlear implants are not perfect but consider giving yourself a shot – most users are happy they did.

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Please call us at 815-725-1191  to schedule an appointment.

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