Cochlear Implants Summary A cochlear implant is a small, complex electronic device that can help to provide a sense of sound. People who are profoundly deaf or severely hard-of-hearing can get help from them. The implant consists of two parts. One part sits on the outside of the body, behind the ear. A second part is surgically placed under the skin. An implant does not restore normal hearing. It can help a person understand speech. Children and adults can benefit from them. National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders Find an Expert American Speech-Language-Hearing Association American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Directory of Organizations (Deafness and Communication Disorders) National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders Find an Audiologist American Academy of Audiology National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders Related Issues Benefits and Risks of Cochlear Implants Food and Drug Administration Use of Vaccines to Prevent Meningitis in Persons with Cochlear Implants Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Array Cochlear implant Hearing and the cochlea Start Here Cochlear Implants National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders Cochlear Implants American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Cochlear Implants American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Cochlear Implants (For Parents) Nemours Foundation Genetics Genetics Home Reference: deafness and myopia syndrome National Library of Medicine Journal Articles Cochlear Implants
