MED-EL cochlear implants are used successfully in over 80 countries worldwide by both prelingually and postlingually deafened adults and children of all ages. Cochlear implants enable individuals with severe-to-profound hearing loss to understand speech, listen to music, communicate with their environment and to enjoy the world of sound in all its aspects of everyday life, see Benefits of Cochlear Implants.

Please seek advice from your health care professional for determine what treatment modality is best for your individual situation.

If you are not sure about whom to contact or if you have any questions on hearing implants please contact your local MED-EL representative.

Some basic criteria identifying typical candidates for cochlear implant are provided below.


General candidacy criteria*

For children, with a profound sensorineural hearing loss.
For adults, with a severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss.
Age at implantation can be as young as several months, depending on individual circumstances and local practice
Receive little or no benefit from hearing aids
No medical contraindications
High motivation for participating in required rehabilitation programs and appropriate expectations
Access to education and rehabilitation follow-up.
When a cochlear implant may not be suitable:


Hearing is “too good”

If a person is able to achieve good speech understanding with hearing aids, then this is likely a better option than a cochlear implant system.


Profound hearing loss for a very long time

If the auditory nerve has never been stimulated or has not been stimulated for a very long time, it may not be able to pass sound information to the brain very well.


The cochlea is not the main cause of hearing loss

A cochlear implant is ineffective if the main problem lies elsewhere than in the inner ear.

Refer also to the MED-EL Auditory Brainstem Implant.


Surgery is not likely to be successful

MED-EL offers a variety of different electrodes that provide the benefit of a functioning cochlear implant even in case of challenging anatomical situations. However, there may be individual cases that do not permit the proper placement of electrodes. Also, in case that the auditory nerve is damaged or absent, a Cochlear Implant is unlikely to provide a benefit



Medical problems

Candidates may not tolerate anaesthesia or other aspects of the surgical procedure or may not be able to participate in rehabilitation or education programs.

Inappropriate expectations

It is essential for the patients and their families to have realistic expectations of the likely benefit of the CI system.

Inadequate support from family or care-givers

Support from family and care-givers is a very important factor in assuring the best possible benefit of using a cochlear implant. In the case of children with cochlear implants, such support is vital.