The Cochlear Implant School Toolkit

1 - How Hearing Works

Hearing loss and cochlear implants

Cochlear implants cannot overcome hearing loss resulting from abnormalities in the structure of the ear. In the past, cochlear implants were only recommended for a child with sensorineural or mixed hearing loss. And in those cases cochlear implants can only help the sensorineural component of mixed hearing loss.

Today, more and more children with auditory neuropathy receive cochlear implants, though there are varying opinions among professionals in the field about the benefits of cochlear implants for those with auditory neuropathy.

For an explanation of what cochlear implants are, refer to the What is a cochlear implant? mini-course.