Sometimes a hearing loss is so profound or hearing is not present at all that hearing instruments can help only very limited. In such a situation cochlear implants can be a successful solution in order to develop communication skills and participate in "the hearing world".
Unlike hearing instruments, cochlear implants do not amplify sounds and their output is not acoustic but an electric one. Nevertheless cochlear implants require adjustment and fitting as well. What is adjusted is the way how electric stimulation is presented to the auditory nerve. The process of fitting of cochlear implants is called "mapping".
Deciding on a Cochlea Implant is a very big decision which will have an impact on the rest of the implantees life.
Below some of the many important considerations, beyond the medical and surgical ones.
