Cochlear Implant Program

A cochlear implant is an electronic device that can provide auditory sensation to a person with severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss. Cochlear implants are designed for people who do not receive adequate benefit from traditional amplification.

Our Cochlear Implant Team is comprised of fellowship-trained surgeons from the Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School as well as clinical audiologists, nurse practitioners, speech and language pathologists, social workers, clinical psychologists, and medical geneticists.

Our team-based approach ensures that multiple experts address all aspects of your care together.

We treat both children and adults at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH). Learn more about our dedicated Pediatric Cochlear Implant Program.

Why Choose RWJUH?

Our program has the most experienced cochlear implant surgeon (ear surgeon) in the state of New Jersey and experienced, doctoral-level cochlear implant audiologists along with the most extensive hearing and balance testing capability in the region.

We also have an outstanding operating room team to care for patients during the surgical procedure.

In addition, the cochlear implant program has the only Zeiss KINEVO 900 Robotic Visualization System dedicated to the neurotology service in the entire northeast region, providing unparalelled microsurgical support for these procedures.

How Cochlear Implants Work

The cochlear implant device is made up of pieces worn outside of the ear and pieces surgically placed inside the ear.

A surgical cut is made behind the ear and the internal piece is secured under the skin and hair.

The electrode array is put into the cochlea, stimulating the hearing nerve.

Microphones on the sound processor pick up sounds and the processor converts them into digital information. This information is transferred through the coil to the implant just under the skin.

The implant sends electrical signals down the electrode into the cochlea. The hearing nerve fibers in the cochlea pick up the signals and send them to the brain, giving the sensation of sound.

Cochlear Implant in Ear

Eligibility

If you have significant bilateral sensorineural hearing loss or suffer from single-sided deafness or asymmetric hearing loss, and have had limited benefit with appropriately fit hearing aids for at least six months as a part of a trial with amplification, you may qualify for the Cochlear Implant Program.

You may select a device from any FDA-approved cochlear implant manufacturer (Advanced Bionics, Cochlear Americas, and Med El).

Is a Cochlear Implant Right for You?

To establish whether a cochlear implant is right for you, you may need to have series of evaluations, including:

  • A comprehensive audiology exam
  • Medical and pre-surgical evaluations with otolaryngologists, which may include imaging
  • Complete speech, language, and listening evaluation

Questions? Call (732) 937-8655