Patient Selection Criteria

• At least 18 months old.
• A severe or profound hearing loss in both ears as measured by accepted audiometric procedures.
• A record of inability to benefit from use of a hearing aid or other assistive listening device in communication.
• Clear motivation to function within the general community that uses spoken communication.
• No medical condition that places them at high risk for surgery or might compromise the cochlear implant.
• Support from family members or other involved individuals.
• Patients must be emotionally and mentally stable.
• Patients must be willing to travel to New Orleans for pre-operative evaluations, implant surgery, and post-operative evaluations and training.