Beyond Implantation:
Rehabilitation and Education

Approximately three to six weeks following surgery, the child’s incision has healed and the cochlear implant system can be activated for the first time. An audiologist adjusts the speech processor to meet the child’s needs in what is known as the “first fitting.” See First Sounds for more information.

The speech processor of a cochlear implant system is programmed for each person individually. Initially, setting up an ideal program, also known as a “map,” requires regular fitting sessions to fine-tune the settings. As the brain adjusts to auditory input, sounds that may have seemed loud at the first fitting can become too soft after a period of time. Regular fitting sessions are therefore an important factor for your child’s success with the CI.

MED-EL’s cochlear implant system is designed to allow quick fitting, while still obtaining ideal fitting maps. This can prove particularly advantageous for infants and small children, as they may not be able to participate in the fitting task for long periods of time. Quick and easy fitting sessions can help reduce stress and fatigue for you and your child during fitting.

Success with a cochlear implant requires strong motivation and active participation from you as a parent. Even the best cochlear implant will not help your child if he or she does not wear it consistently. Periods of time without stimulation require your child to readjust to incoming sounds from the cochlear implant, which can delay progress. Research has shown that wearing the speech processor for longer periods positively affects children’s performance with their implant.

While cochlear implants provide a remarkable opportunity for children with hearing loss, sounds can be confusing and overwhelming initially. Regular communication training is an essential element in learning how to understand sounds and in developing listening and speech skills.

For very young children, auditory therapy may initially involve parent-directed therapy activities to help your child detect and recognize sounds in the therapeutic setting. You will learn how to support communication success as your child learns to apply these new listening skills in the real world, outside the therapeutic setting. Various pediatric rehabilitation materials are available for use at home, so you can help your child develop hearing skills in a playful way.

MED-EL offers a wide range of support materials to help recipients achieve the best possible benefit from their cochlear implant system. Resources include specially developed communication tools to be used during speech therapy and training at home.