What is the ideal age for a child to receive a cochlear implant?
Since birth to age 5 are the most critical years for language and speech development, the earlier a child receives an implant, the more easily he or she will adapt and begin learning how to interpret auditory information. The earliest a child may receive a cochlear implant in the United States is 12 months. A thorough evaluation by a team of specialists can help determine whether a child is a good candidate for cochlear implantation.
