Your journey with cochlear implants

To help you better understand your options and determine whether a cochlear implant is a suitable option for you or your child, you'll meet with expert health professionals to determine your level of hearing, type of hearing loss and communication needs.

At this stage, the steps involved may include:

• consultation with an Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) surgeon
• evaluation by an audiologist
• CT and MRI scans
• speech and language assessment (children)
• electrophysiological tests, unique to NextSense Cochlear Implant Services.

Once it's determined that a cochlear implant is an option for you or your child, you will meet with experts who can answer your questions and equip you with the information you need to make the best and most-informed decision.

This may include:

• consultations with NextSense specialists and surgeons
• meeting cochlear implant recipients
• attending information sessions.

Once you have made the decision to go ahead, we'll help you organise and prepare for the cochlear implantation procedure, performed at a public or private hospital by an ENT surgeon.

The surgeon will make a small incision behind the ear and insert the internal device. Our electrophysiology team then performs detailed testing at the time of surgery to make sure the best hearing outcome is achieved from the implant.

Most people are able to return home the day after their surgery.

Your implant will be switched on by your NextSense audiologist, usually one to three weeks after surgery. While most people can hear some sound immediately, it's completely normal to take time to interpret sounds. Rest assured, we'll be with you to help achieve the best possible outcomes.

Once your implant is switched on, we'll continue to support you or your child with the right mix of services to meet your goals. This can include:

• regular cochlear implant programming (mapping), tailored to your needs
• listening and communication practice using the implant
• long-term follow-up to check the device is working optimally.

Children and their families can also access early learning and school support to enhance learning and development at every age.

Whenever and wherever you need us, we're here for you, providing a lifetime of tailored support for both you and your family. This can include ongoing therapy and allied health services, regular assessments, 24-hour technical support and access to technology upgrades.