Why is hearing preservation cochlear implant surgery important?

Preserving your residual hearing is important for two reasonsIt is a marker for gentle, atraumatic surgery that preserves delicate cochlear structures. Cochleas that are less damaged can better transmit the cochlear implant signal. It also means that the electrode is in the proper location inside the cochlea for optimal stimulation. All of this improves the final hearing outcome for all patients.

Some patients have significant low frequency residual hearing. Preserving hearing after surgery can be very benficial for these patients. These patients who can use a hearing aid and a cochlear implant in the SAME ear have much better speech perception and musical enjoyment.