Cochlear & Bone-Anchored Implants
Advanced solutions for hearing loss when hearing aids aren’t enough.
If hearing aids haven’t helped you hear clearly — or you’ve been told your hearing loss is too severe for traditional amplification — a cochlear implant or bone-anchored hearing system might be the next step.
At Grand Rapids Ear, Nose & Throat, our audiology team provides comprehensive evaluations to determine if you may benefit from one of these advanced hearing solutions. We’ll walk you through your options and help coordinate care with implant specialists, so you can take the next step with confidence.
If you’re struggling to hear despite wearing hearing aids, schedule an evaluation today.
Am I a Candidate?
You may be a candidate for a cochlear or bone-anchored implant if you:
- Have moderate to profound sensorineural hearing loss
- Get little or no benefit from properly fitted hearing aids
- Struggle to understand speech — even in quiet environments
- Have conductive or mixed hearing loss that hasn’t improved with other treatments
- Live with single-sided deafness and want to improve sound awareness and directionality
We’ll perform a series of specialized hearing tests and work with you to determine if implant evaluation is appropriate.
What to Expect
The process starts with a consultation and hearing evaluation. If your results suggest you’re a candidate, we’ll coordinate a referral to an implant surgeon for further testing and imaging.
If you move forward with surgery, the procedure is typically done on an outpatient basis. After a short healing period, you’ll return to have the device activated and programmed.
We’ll be with you throughout the process, providing follow-up care, programming support, and hearing therapy to help you adjust to your new way of hearing.
Recovery and Results
Recovery from cochlear or bone-anchored implant surgery is generally smooth. Most people return to daily activities within a few days.
While it takes time for the brain to adapt to new hearing input, many patients report:
- Improved speech understanding — even in noisy settings
- Better sound awareness and directionality
- Increased confidence and connection in social situations
- Greater independence and reduced communication frustration
Results vary based on hearing history and the type of device, but for many people, the improvement is life-changing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Hearing aids amplify sound. Cochlear implants bypass damaged parts of the inner ear and send sound directly to the hearing nerve, which can be more effective for certain types of hearing loss.
They’re often recommended for conductive hearing loss, single-sided deafness, or mixed hearing loss — especially when standard hearing aids aren’t an option.
Implants don’t restore normal hearing, but they can significantly improve clarity, speech understanding, and quality of life with time and training.
The internal device is designed to last, and the external processor can be upgraded as technology evolves.
We work closely with implant surgeons and remain involved throughout the process — from pre-implant evaluation to post-activation care and follow-up.
Explore Your Options for Clearer Hearing
If hearing aids haven’t worked for you, cochlear or bone-anchored implants may be the next step. Schedule a consultation with Grand Rapids Ear, Nose & Throat to learn more.