Who gets a cochlear implant?

Varies: Presently, the major indication for a cochlear implant is bilateral total deafness. However, in some centers otologic surgeons are performing this surgery for unilateral total deafness if the state or the insurance companies will cover the cost. Recently i read that it has been considered for severe incapacitating tinnitus but that i feel is too early to consider as a reliable procedure.

CI not for everyone: To get a cochlear implant (ci) in the us, in general you have to have nerve deafness of a high enough severity that a hearing aid isn't enough to let you hear. At this point, it is typically performed for bilateral (both ears) having this severe hearing loss. Research is being done on ci with lesser hearing loss or in cases of single sided deafness, but most insurances wouldn't pay for that.

Cochlear implants: Cochlear implants are devices used to treat patient with severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss for which traditional hearing aids provide little or no benefit. Patients generally undergo extensive medical and audiologic evaluation to determine candidacy, and will generally require therapy and support after surgery to help ensure successful cochlear implant surgery.