Cochlear implants can help

By Cara Donovan, Au.D., Sounds of Life Hearing

If hearing aids are not providing the improvement in your hearing that you were hoping for, cochlear implants may be an option.

“Cochlear implants are a wonderful solution for individuals with significant hearing loss in one or both ears,” says Dr. Cara Donovan, Au.D., of Sounds of Life Hearing in Mentor. “Many people start wearing hearing aids to rehabilitate their hearing loss, but as the loss progresses, hearing aids may not work as well. This may indicate the need for a cochlear implant evaluation by a trained doctor of audiology.”

Doctors of audiology work to not only to get their patients hearing better, but also comprehending what they hear. Dr. Donovan and Dr. Sarah Curtis at Sounds of Life are both specially trained in the hearing and cognition connection and work to get you not just hearing noise, but also understanding and processing what you hear.

“We find the solution to your best hearing,” says Dr. Donovan. “For many, a cochlear implant is that solution.”

Cochlear implants can be utilized in both ears, or one can be programmed for the poorest hearing ear, a compatible hearing aid can be programmed for the other ear and the two are used in combination.

Some indications that you might consider cochlear implants are struggling to hear on the phone, withdrawing from conversations and interactions with others, and the need to have people repeat themselves even with the use of hearing aids.

Dr. Donovan advises anyone struggling with their hearing to contact Sounds of Life Hearing for a complete hearing and cochlear implant evaluation.

Sounds of Life Hearing Center is located at 8007 Auburn Road, Suite 1, in Mentor. For more information call 440-579-4085, or check the website SoundsOfLifeHC.com.