At WMCHealth’s Cochlear Implant Center, your care doesn’t start and stop with surgery. It’s a carefully guided process designed to help you hear and understand sound more clearly. From your first evaluation to ongoing follow-up care, our team supports you every step of the way.
Step 1: Cochlear Implant Evaluation
Your journey begins with a complete hearing assessment. Our cochlear implant team will guide you through:
- Hearing tests and evaluation of hearing aid performance and functional benefit
- Imaging studies of your ear
- Speech and language assessments, when needed
- Education about cochlear implants and device options
- Individualized counseling about expected benefits and next steps
Our goal is to ensure you fully understand the process and feel confident about this life-changing decision.
Step 2: Surgery
Once your candidacy is confirmed and you decide to move forward, your surgery will be scheduled. This outpatient procedure typically lasts less than two hours, and most patients go home the same day. Mild discomfort afterward is normal and can be managed with medication.
Please note: You will not hear with your cochlear implant immediately after surgery. Hearing begins at your activation visit.
Step 3: Activation and Mapping
About two to four weeks after surgery, your implant is activated and the external processor is programmed (or “mapped”) to your specific hearing needs. Adjustments and follow-up appointments are scheduled throughout the first year, then as needed. This allows your care team to assess your progress and fine-tune your hearing experience.
Step 4: Rehabilitation
Aural rehabilitation is an important part of progress with a cochlear implant. Our speech-language pathologists work with both children and adults to help them adjust to new sounds through the implant. For children, we also provide additional support to strengthen speech, listening, and language development.
WMCHealth
Meet our doctors
Katrina Stidham
Otology & Neurotology
Locations:
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19 Bradhurst Avenue Suite 3600S
Hawthorne, NY 10532
WMCHealth Provider