Hearing implants for adults and children

If you or a family member struggle to hear clearly using conventional hearing aids, or if you have difficulty wearing hearing aids, then a hearing implant may be a perfect solution for you.

Spire Manchester Hospital in collaboration with Cochlear™ (the world leader in implantable hearing devices) can offer a hearing implant solution designed to meet your needs and lifestyle.

The hearing implant team

The hearing implant team at Spire Manchester Hospital provides expert assessment and advice about life-changing hearing implants. The hearing implant team have all worked in the field of hearing loss and implantable hearing devices for adults and children for over 10 years and are recognised internationally for delivering first class care.

The team

• Professor Iain Bruce, Consultant Ear, Nose and Throat Surgeon
• Dr Martin O’Driscoll, Consultant Audiologist
• Mr Adam Walker, Consultant Audiologist
• Ms Lise Henderson, Speech and Language Therapist

Hearing implant options

Broadly speaking, there are three types of hearing implants with the choice of implant dependent upon the type and severity of hearing loss:

Cochlear implants

Cochlear implants (CI) are an established, effective long-term solution for adults and children who have severe-to-profound hearing loss and who gain limited help from conventional hearing aids.

The CI system has two components: the internal implant that stimulates the nerve in the hearing organ and the external sound processor that captures sound and transmits the coded signal to the internal implant.

Surgery to insert the internal implant is performed under general anaesthesia and typically takes around 1.5 hours – 2 hours. The internal implant has an electrode array that is inserted into the cochlea (hearing organ) in the inner ear to stimulate it. Tests are performed during the operation to ensure the implant is optimally positioned and is working well. An overnight stay in hospital is usually required following surgery.

The external sound processor is first activated by our specialist audiologists approximately two weeks after surgery. We offer a tailored programme of fine-tuning and rehabilitation to ensure that you obtain the best possible outcome from your CI.

At Spire Manchester Hospital we offer the Nucleus® cochlear implant and sound processor portfolio from Cochlear™. The Nucleus 7 sound processor is the world's first and only cochlear implant sound processor that can be directly controlled by your smart phone.  The Nucleus 7 is the smallest and lightest behind-the-ear hearing solution that combines comfort and wearability, with proven hearing performance. In addition, we offer the Kanso® sound processor that sits snugly against the head and offers the freedom of a discreet off-the-ear sound processor.

Carina® fully-implantable hearing device

A Carina middle ear implant is suitable for adults and older children with moderate to severe hearing loss.

The Cochlear™ Carina® System is a fully implantable middle ear implant which is hidden under the skin, making it 100% invisible. Carina® gives you the freedom to live your life the way you want to; 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If more amplification is needed, there is the option to use an external processor.

Surgery for a Carina® middle ear implant typically takes around two hours and may require an overnight stay.

The implanted hearing device is activated by our specialist audiologists approximately two months after surgery.  We offer a tailored programme of fine-tuning and rehabilitation to ensure that you obtain the best possible outcome from your Carina® fully implantable system.

Bone anchored hearing aids

Bone anchored hearing aids are suitable for people with a conductive or mixed (sensorineural and conductive) hearing loss and for selected people who have a hearing loss in only one ear (single-sided deafness, SSD).  A Bone Anchored Hearing Aid (Baha®) can be provided for people who have recurrent ear infections or allergies that make it difficult to use conventional hearing aids.

The Cochlear™ Baha® System has two components: the internal metal implant that is placed in the bone behind the ear and the external sound processor that captures sound and transmits the coded signal (vibration) to the internal implant.  The hearing organ (cochlea) sits in the inner ear surrounded by the bone of the skull, with the sound vibration from the  external sound processor being carried to the cochlea directly, bypassing the outer and middle ear. Once the metal implant is screwed into the skull bone it tightly integrates with the surrounding bone (through a natural process known as osseo-integration) to provide a stable connection for the sound vibration to pass to the cochlea.

Surgery can be performed under local (adults) or general anaesthesia (children) and takes less than one hour. It is usually a day case procedure, meaning you go home the same day.

The external sound processor is activated by our specialist audiologists approximately four weeks after surgery. We offer a tailored programme of fine-tuning and rehabilitation to ensure that you obtain the best possible outcome from your Baha® system.

The award-winning Cochlearä Baha® 5 Sound Processor is the smallest sound processor in the industry and provides a discreet solution for people with conductive and mixed hearing loss, or single sided deafness. It is the first sound processor that can directly stream from a smart phone or iPad.

Aftercare

As with any medical treatment, a period of adjustment and aftercare is required for all hearing implant devices. A programme of appointments and rehabilitation is provided to optimise your ability to hear with your implant. You will be supported so you are familiar with your new device and its accessories, enabling you to build your confidence to move on with your hearing journey.

For more information about hearing implants available at Spire Manchester, please visit Cochlear’s website.

Do I need a referral letter from my GP?

A referral letter is not required for self-funding patients. If you have private medical insurance, please contact your insurance provider to check if this is covered under your insurance policy.

For more information or to book an appointment, please call us on 0161 447 6700 or enquire online.

Cochlear, Hear now. And always, Nucleus, Kanso, Baha, the elliptical logo, and marks bearing an ® or ™ symbol, are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Cochlear Limited or Cochlear Bone Anchored Solutions AB (unless otherwise noted).

The Cochlear Nucleus 7 Sound Processor is compatible with iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. The Cochlear Nucleus Smart App is available on App Store and Google Play. For compatibility information visit www.cochlear.com/compatibility