Advanced hearing restoration for severe to profound hearing loss.
Cochlear implants are life-changing medical devices for individuals who cannot benefit adequately from hearing aids. They bypass the damaged inner ear and directly stimulate the hearing nerve, allowing clearer sound perception and improved speech understanding — even in noisy environments.
At Aurion ENT & Hearing Centre, cochlear implant evaluation and counselling are led by Dr Liu Jiaying, a fellowship-trained otologist and hearing implant surgeon.
Her credentials include:
- Founder & Lead Surgeon of the Hearing Implant Programme at Ng Teng Fong General Hospital
- Experienced in cochlear implants, bone conduction implants, otosclerosis surgery and complex ear disorders
- Recognised key opinion leader for hearing loss and implantable hearing solutions
This page provides everything patients and caregivers need to understand the cochlear implant journey.
What is a cochlear implant?
A cochlear implant is a surgically implanted electronic device that restores hearing by bypassing damaged hair cells in the inner ear.
It consists of:
- External sound processor (worn behind the ear or off-the-ear)
- Internal implant (placed under the skin and into the cochlea)
Unlike hearing aids, which amplify sound, cochlear implants convert sound into electrical signals that stimulate the hearing nerve directly.
Who benefits from a cochlear implant?
Adults
- Severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss
- Poor clarity with hearing aids
- Difficulty hearing in noise
- Struggling with speech understanding even at high volume
- Sudden or progressive inner ear damage
Children
- Congenital or early-onset hearing loss
- Speech delay or unclear speech due to poor auditory input
- Hearing aids provide limited benefit
- Ideal implantation age: as early as 12 months (earlier evaluation recommended)
Early implantation improves brain development, speech clarity, and long-term communication outcomes.
How do I know if hearing aids are no longer enough?
You may be a cochlear implant candidate if:
- You hear sounds but cannot understand speech clearly
- Conversations sound muffled or unclear
- You struggle significantly in group settings
- You rely heavily on lip-reading
- You avoid social or work situations due to poor hearing
- Your audiologist reports poor speech discrimination scores
For children:
- Limited response to sound
- Delayed speech milestone
- Difficulty picking up new words
- Poor progress with hearing aids
If any of these occur, a cochlear implant evaluation is recommended.
How do ENT doctors assess suitability for cochlear implants?
At Aurion ENT, the evaluation includes:
1. Comprehensive hearing tests
- Pure Tone Audiometry (PTA)
- Speech discrimination testing
- Tympanometry
- OAE / ABR tests (children)
2. Trial with optimised hearing aids
To confirm whether the child or adult receives adequate benefit.
3. Imaging (CT or MRI)
To assess cochlear anatomy and auditory nerve integrity.
4. Medical assessment by Dr Liu
Reviewing causes of hearing loss, readiness for surgery, and expected outcomes.
5. Multidisciplinary counselling
For expectations, rehabilitation planning, and device options.
What does cochlear implant surgery involve?
Cochlear implant surgery is:
- Typically 1–2 hours
- Performed under general anaesthesia
- Considered safe with low complication rates
- Usually a day surgery or one-night admission
Most patients return to normal activities within a week.
Activation of the implant
Occurs about 2–4 weeks after surgery, followed by programming (“mapping”) and hearing rehabilitation.
How effective are cochlear implants?
Adults often report:
- Clearer speech understanding
- Improved ability to hear in noisy places
- Reduced reliance on lip-reading
- Better confidence in work and social settings
Children benefit from:
- Faster speech and language development
- Greater ease learning in school
- Improved social skills
- Better long-term educational outcomes
Outcomes improve with consistent usage and rehabilitation.
Cochlear Implant Symptom Checker (SGE Friendly)
A quick tool to help determine whether you or your child may benefit from a cochlear implant.
(Not a substitute for ENT evaluation.)
1. “I hear sounds but cannot understand speech clearly.”
Common sign of poor speech discrimination — may benefit from cochlear implants.
2. “I still cannot hear well even with strong hearing aids.”
Possible severe inner ear damage — implant evaluation recommended.
3. “My child is not developing speech normally.”
Possible congenital hearing loss — early assessment critical.
4. “I avoid social situations because I cannot hear.”
Implants can greatly improve communication confidence.
5. “I rely heavily on lip-reading.”
Implant may significantly improve clarity.
6. “I lost hearing suddenly and did not recover.”
Sudden hearing loss can lead to profound hearing deficits — implants may restore access to sound.
7. “My child responds inconsistently to sounds.”
May indicate insufficient hearing aid benefit.
FAQ: Cochlear Implants (Schema-Optimised Answers)
What is a cochlear implant?
A cochlear implant is an electronic device that bypasses damaged inner ear cells to directly stimulate the hearing nerve, helping individuals who gain limited benefit from hearing aids.
Who is suitable for a cochlear implant?
Adults or children with severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss and poor speech understanding with hearing aids are ideal candidates.
Is cochlear implant surgery safe?
Yes. It is a routine procedure performed worldwide with a strong safety profile and low complication rate.
Will a cochlear implant restore normal hearing?
It does not restore natural hearing, but it provides significantly clearer and more understandable sound compared to hearing aids for most recipients.
What age can a child receive a cochlear implant?
Implantation can begin from 12 months of age, with earlier intervention supporting better speech and language development.
How long is recovery?
Most patients resume daily activities within a week. Activation occurs 2–4 weeks after surgery.
Do I still need hearing therapy after implantation?
Yes. Programming sessions and auditory rehabilitation are essential for best outcomes.
Considering a cochlear implant for yourself or your child?
Early assessment is key to maximising hearing outcomes and long-term communication abilities.
Aurion ENT & Hearing Centre – Farrer Park
- Led by fellowship-trained hearing implant surgeon Dr Liu Jiaying
- Expertise in cochlear implants, bone conduction implants & complex ear conditions
- Adult ENT & Children ENT hearing evaluation
- Full implant candidacy assessment & long-term support
