Cochlear Implants for Children

The highly skilled team at UMass Memorial Medical Center – Children’s Medical Center provides comprehensive cochlear implant care. Pediatric specialists with advanced training in disorders of the ear and nearby nerves (otology and neurotology) work alongside audiologists and other specialists to deliver personalized care. The team also includes speech-language pathologists who use age-appropriate techniques to help your child develop listening, speaking and communication skills.

We offer lifelong support, allowing your child to receive care from the same trusted team from infancy through adulthood.  Our exceptional services draw families from across the region, as well as New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine.

What Is a Cochlear Implant?

A cochlear implant  consists of two parts:  

1. Surgically implanted device  
2. External speech processor

The speech processor captures sound from the environment through a microphone and sends it to the internal device. Electrical contacts on the implant send the information to the hearing nerve, which transmits the signals to the auditory centers of the brain.

Our Team Approach to Pediatric Cochlear Implant Care

At Children’s Medical Center, a dedicated team of specialists works together to provide family-centered care. You benefit from expert guidance before, during and after cochlear implant surgery. Your team consists of:

• Audiologists perform detailed hearing evaluations and activate and fine-tune your child's cochlear implant. They also deliver ongoing monitoring to optimize your child’s hearing experience.
• Surgeons place the implant's tiny electrode in your child's inner ear and position the internal receiver under the skin behind the ear.
• Speech-language pathologists help your child learn to use the implant through exercises that enhance listening, speaking and communication skills.
• Social worker talks to your child’s school about any accommodations they may need through an individualized education plan (IEP).
• Program coordinator oversees appointment scheduling and ensures all necessary information is readily available, creating an efficient experience for your family.

Pediatric Cochlear Implant Services We Provide

Here's what you can expect during your child’s treatment:

• Assessment: Your child undergoes thorough hearing tests to determine if a cochlear implant is the right choice. We also discuss your family’s health history and coordinate genetic testing.
• Meet the doctor: You and your child have a consultation with the implant surgeon to discuss the procedure and select the most suitable device.
• Implant operation: The surgeon places the implant components during a brief outpatient procedure. Your child can usually return home the same day and resume their typical activities a few days later.
• Post-surgery check: A few days after the implant operation, we examine the incisions and perform other checks to ensure proper healing.
• Device activation: At a later appointment,  an audiologist turns the implant on and adjusts the settings to meet your child's hearing needs.
• Ongoing care: We continue adjusting the device as your child grows. Some follow-ups may be done remotely for your convenience.
• Immunizations: To protect your child from serious infections like meningitis, it's crucial to stay current with vaccinations after receiving a cochlear implant. We offer guidance on which shots are needed and where to get them.

Is a Cochlear Implant Right for My Child? 

Your child may be eligible for a cochlear implant if they: 

• Are at least 9 months old
• Have severe to profound hearing loss in both ears
• Are older than 5 and have no hearing in one ear
• Experience little benefit from hearing aids
• Do not have health issues that would make implant surgery unsafe