What are the benefits and limitations of a cochlear implant?
The benefit of a cochlear implant can be a dramatic improvement in hearing. The ability to hear environmental sounds, the improved ability to read lips and in many cases to be able to understand speech and conversation without reading lips and recovering the ability to talk on the telephone are all potential benefits of a cochlear implant. Some people will be able to appreciate and listen to music though this often takes a fair amount of time and not everyone will receive that much benefit from an implant. A large number of patients can get back into a normal life, return to work and improve their chances for success. The limitation of a cochlear implant is that not everyone will have a stellar result. For some people who obtain an implant their results may be more limited. Not everyone will be able to use the telephone or understand speech without reading lips, but in most cases the results will be beneficial to the individual receiving the implant. A very small percentage of patients
