How Much Do Cochlear Implants Cost? Procedure and Coverage Breakdown

Experiencing problems with your hearing? You're not alone. Approximately 15% of all Americans over the age of 18 experience some degree of hearing loss, with the greatest amount occurring in those over 60.¹

To help improve your hearing, there are several non-surgical or surgical options for different types of hearing loss, including cochlear implants. Let's dive into the cost of cochlear implants, when and if insurance covers cochlear implants and how financing can help.

What Is a Cochlear Implant?

Cochlear implants help improve the ability to hear for those with severe hearing loss due to inner ear damage.²

A cochlear implant is a surgically implanted electronic hearing device, which consists of two components: an external microphone, sound processor and transmitter system; and an implanted receiver and electrode system that stimulates the cochlea. The cochlea is part of the inner ear that controls how well you hear and interpret sounds.²

The sounds you hear through a cochlear implant aren't exactly like they are with normal hearing. However, with rehabilitation and training, within three to 12 months, you should be able to understand the majority of the speech around you, leading to a better quality of life.²

Cochlear implants vs. hearing aids

Cochlear implants work differently than hearing aids. Hearing aids help you hear better by increasing the volume and clarity of sounds. When surgically placed under the skin, a cochlear implant stimulates the nerve endings in the cochlea to provide a sense of sound to a person who is profoundly deaf or severely hard of hearing.²

Types of cochlear implants

The types of cochlear implants available depend on where the external sound processor is located. These include:³

• Behind the ear
• On the scalp
• Attached to your clothing

How Much Does a Cochlear Implant Cost?

The average cost of cochlear implants is between $30,000 and $50,000, depending upon the device.⁴ But the total cost of the implant, surgery, external pieces and rehabilitation can range from $60,000 to $100,000.⁵ However, cochlear implants are typically covered by many health insurance policies, which can significantly reduce the final price you actually pay.⁴

Several factors can also affect the price of your cochlear implant, including:

• Manufacturer. Companies such as Cochlear®, MED-EL and Advanced Bionics manufacture cochlear implants that are FDA-approved.⁶
• Features and accessories. Different devices have different features, like Bluetooth connectivity or increased durability for sports playing or waterproofing — all of which can affect the cost of the device.⁶
• Surgical location. If you have your cochlear implant surgery in a hospital, it will cost more than having it in a surgery center.⁷
• Required presurgical testing. This includes auditory, balance (vestibular) and imaging tests such as CT scans and MRI testing.²
• Type of rehabilitation. Those who have never had the ability to hear sounds prior to surgery may need more intensive rehabilitation and training than those learning to hear again. Children will also need different rehabilitation therapy than adults.⁸

Cochlear implant cost breakdown

Insurance Coverage for Cochlear Implants

Your cochlear implants may be covered by your health insurance policy — 90% of policies do cover them.¹²

• Whether or not your insurance covers your implant will depend on the level of hearing loss you have, the type of implant your doctor recommends and the level of benefits your plan offers.¹³
• Cochlear implants are typically covered by Medicare, Medicaid and the Veterans Affairs.⁵
• Medicare will cover approximately 80% of the costs of cochlear implants.⁵
• Both Medicare and Medicaid cover therapy follow-up after implantation.¹²
• Medicaid may not cover the cost of cochlear implants in certain states for those over the age of 21.⁵
• Prior authorization from the insurance company is required before surgery to ensure that your costs are covered.¹³
• Patients may still be responsible for copays, coinsurance and deductibles.¹³

Who Is a Good Candidate for a Cochlear Implant?

Cochlear implants are designed for adults and children with hearing loss who aren't helped with traditional hearing aids, and for those with moderate, profound and severe hearing loss.² They work best for those:⁶

• With hearing loss in one or both ears
• Who are having trouble communicating with others
• Over 9 months old¹⁴
• Who wear hearing aids but don't understand speech as much as they'd like
• Healthy enough for surgery
• Who can participate in rehabilitation after surgery

How Long Do Cochlear Implants Last?

A cochlear implant is a significant financial investment, but it can last a lifetime.¹⁵ Young children don't ever grow out of their implants.¹⁴ You may need to periodically replace the external processor attached to the implant if it becomes damaged or you wish to upgrade it.¹⁵ The external part of the device typically lasts between five and 10 years.¹⁵ However, manufacturers design new external processors to work with older implants, which is why the implants can last so long.¹⁶

How Does Cochlear Implant Surgery Work?

If you have seen a doctor due to problems with your hearing, they will send you for in-depth auditory and vestibular testing, along with imaging to determine whether or not you have moderate, profound or severe hearing loss. Depending on your results, your doctor will recommend a cochlear implant or other type of hearing aid.²

Preparation

Prior to your cochlear implant surgery, you won't need to arrange for a hospital stay because this is an outpatient procedure, which means that you'll go home on the same day. Before surgery, you'll need to:¹⁷

• Arrange to have someone bring you to and from the hospital or surgery center. That's because you'll be under general anesthesia during the procedure and will be given pain medication afterward, so you won't be able to drive home.
• Speak with your doctor about all of the medications, including vitamins and supplements, that you take. Your doctor may advise you to stop taking certain medications, such as blood thinners, prior to surgery.
• Stop eating and drinking before surgery, according to your doctor's directions.
• Bathe as directed by your doctor prior to surgery.
• Remove all jewelry, piercings and contact lenses.

Procedure

During your surgery, you'll be put under general anesthesia, so you won't be awake for the procedure. The surgery itself takes about two hours.⁸

To perform the surgery, your doctor will:⁸

• Make an incision behind your ear
• Form an opening in the mastoid bone
• Create a small opening in the cochlea
• Thread the electrodes of the device into the cochlea
• Place the internal processor behind the ear, between the muscle and bone
• Stitch the incision closed to leave the implant under the skin

Is Cochlear Implant Surgery Safe?

Cochlear implant surgery is generally considered safe.⁸ The devices used are FDA-approved.⁶ However, as with any type of surgery, there are potential complications that could occur.

Potential risks and side effects

Possible complications of cochlear implant surgery include:⁸

• Meningitis. Those who undergo cochlear implant surgery can develop meningitis in rare cases. Due to this possible complication, your doctor will likely recommend a meningitis vaccination prior to your surgery.⁶
• Loss of residual hearing. In some cases, you may lose the residual hearing you have in your ear if the surgery damages the remaining neuronal cells in the cochlea.¹⁸
• Nerve damage. Sometimes during surgery the nerves of your face could become damaged, leading to problems with taste, problems with movement on the side of your face where you have the implant or numbness around the implant.
• Dizziness or vertigo. Because your cochlea helps manage your sense of balance, surgery can affect this.
• Implant failure. In rare cases, the implant may fail and require surgical replacement.⁶
• Spinal fluid leak. Because surgery involves making a hole in your inner ear, it could cause a leak of fluid around the brain to occur.
• Ringing in the ears (tinnitus). Although surgery usually helps with tinnitus problems, the procedure can sometimes make it worse.
• Bleeding and infections. In some cases, the area operated on can bleed or develop an infection.

Financing Ear Care With the CareCredit Credit Card

The CareCredit credit card can help you pay for hearing care, including regular hearing tests, screenings and more.* Use our Acceptance Locator to find a hearing specialist near you that accepts CareCredit. Continue to invest in your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your account, find a provider on the go and easily access the Well U blog for more great articles, podcasts and videos.

In addition to hearing care, you can also use your CareCredit credit card for dentistry, cosmetic, pet care, vision, health systems, dermatology, pharmacy purchases, spa treatments and so much more within the CareCredit network. How will you invest in your health and wellness next?

Author Bio

Susan Paretts is a freelance writer with 19 years of experience covering health and wellness, pet care and more. Her work has been published by the American Kennel Club, Bayer Animal Health, Elanco, LIVESTRONG.com, The San Francisco Chronicle, Chewy and more.