Cochlear Implants

Cochlear Implants Experts in Anchorage and Eagle River, AK

In most circumstances, hearing aids are the most common option for people suffering with a hearing loss.

It’s only when a hearing loss progresses into being profound or severe when a cochlear implant should be considered, as their capabilities to improve the quality of lives are nothing short of incredible.

Alaska Hearing and Tinnitus Center are proud to offer this specialized service.

Schedule an appointment with us today to discuss whether cochlear implants are the best solution for you or a loved one.

Schedule an appointment to discuss cochlear implants today

What is a Cochlear Implant?

Cochlear implants are stunningly advanced medical devices that are implanted within the ear, and are capable of restoring your hearing as close to its natural state as possible, (if your hearing loss is severe).

Check out the diagram on the left to see what it looks like and how it sits within the ear.

Cochlear implants can be placed in one ear (unilateral), or both ears (bilateral), and both children from as young as six-to-twelve months and adults can benefit from the much-improved hearing quality they offer.

Q: What’s the difference between a cochlear implant and a hearing aid?

The main difference is that cochlear implants are surgically implanted within your ear, which means they don’t amplify sounds like hearing aids do, instead, they bypass the damaged part of the ear and use an ‘electrical stimulation’ to mimic the damaged element, which enables you to hear much better.

Q: Are there any risks involved with cochlear implant surgery?

Requiring only a one-day hospital stay (in most circumstances), the risks involved in cochlear implant surgery are reassuringly minimal, and patients are under general anaesthesia throughout.

Q: What is the process to receive a cochlear implant?

We, your Audiologists, will perform all necessary testing in our office. You will meet with an ENT to evaluate your surgical candidacy. Surgery day is often an outpatient procedure, so no overnight stay! You will recover from the surgery for a few weeks first, and then we will activate your cochlear implants.

Q: What benefits will I receive from cochlear implants?

A: First and foremost, you will be able to enjoy a much smoother and more natural hearing experience. You’ll be able to hear sounds and conversations at a much more comfortable level, and you won’t need to raise your own voice to hear yourself speak.

In addition to this, you’ll be able to enjoy music and phone conversations at a much more pleasing level than before.

Q: How much do cochlear implants cost, and can I claim on my insurance?

Good news! Most insurances have coverage for cochlear implants. We will happily navigate you through this process

Dr. Emily McMahan and Hayley Shirley of Alaska Hearing & Tinnitus Center

Schedule a Hearing Assessment

If you or a loved one are concerned that hearing aids aren’t working for you, or you need some guidance on what level your hearing is at, the best thing to do is schedule a hearing assessment with us so we can give you that much-needed clarity there and then.

Rest assured, we will always give you the best possible advice and of course, as Alaska’s most trusted hearing experts and a partner of the Cochlear Provider Network, we will do what we can to help you get back to living a life you love.

Complete the form below and we will contact you to discuss how we will be able to assist you

Patient Stories

"I enjoy so many more activities than before"

“I realized there may be a hearing challenge when I started asking for the hearing impaired headphones at the movie theater. I told myself it was to drown out the other people around me, but it was because I couldn’t hear clearly enough to make out the dialogue."

Becki G

“I’m very satisfied with the care and service Alaska Hearing provide”

“My hearing loss came in two stages. I lost the hearing in one ear due to the mumps at age 12. So I have had single-sided deafness since then. As I got older, I began to lose the hearing in my “good” ear. I have lost some of the higher frequencies. It became difficult to hear certain people speaking and I could see everyone else could hear them fine."

Larry S

"The staff at Alaska Hearing were very friendly and concerned that I understood everything they explained"

“I first thought that I may have a hearing loss when I had to have people repeat what they were saying to me. I didn’t really have any concerns prior to my appointment, as my father wore hearing aids, but I wondered what people would think about me wearing hearing aids."

Sue B

"Doctor McMahan was so kind and made us all feel very comfortable, safe, and cared for"

“My son is autistic and I was worried about how he would respond to being tested. I was very pleased with our first appointment. Doctor McMahan was so kind and patient. She got on our son’s level, explained everything calmly to him, and made us all feel very comfortable, safe, and cared for."

Cal K

“With my hearing aids, I can hear my grandkids, and my wife is a very happy woman”

“I pretty much have had ringing in my ears my whole life. I have always struggled and normally had to be looking at a person to read their lips if I was going to understand a conversation. In large groups, it was useless to try and carry on a conversation. Before my appointment, the cost of hearing aids was a real fear for me."

Joseph L

“My quality of life has drastically improved since purchasing my hearing devices”

“I was 14 or 15 years old and a teacher noticed that I was falling behind in the class discussion. She requested a hearing test and I was informed that I have a significant loss. This was devastating news for a person to receive. Before my appointment at Alaska Hearing, I was afraid I was not going to be able to get the help I needed and that cost would be more than I could afford."

Ryan H

“Now that I can hear, I am not embarrassed to get into a conversation, nor an argument, nor a discussion”

“[My hearing loss] was not immediate, but as time went on, I could tell I wasn’t hearing enough. I became less outgoing. I was in a shell. Less a part of the group. I had originally gone to a discount seller and that’s what I got, a discount set of hearing aids. At my first appointment, I was very impressed and assured they would be doing a good job."

Ronald

“I have much less ringing and I’m able to concentrate more”

“I became concerned about my hearing due to ringing in the ears. I found a comfortable setting and exceptional staff at Alaska Hearing. Now, I have much less ringing and I’m able to concentrate more. It’s a great place to go.”

James

“With my hearing aids, I can hear my family, I can hear better at work, and I feel overall less stressed!”

“I was ashamed I needed help. I am young compared to everyone else I know who wears hearing aids. Before my appointment at Alaska Hearing, I thought I would be pressured into hearing aids. I thought they would be large and noticeable."

CJW

“A hearing test is the start of reconnecting with your world”

“I suspected I might have a hearing loss when I could hear the coffee pot beep in my right ear but not my left ear. Before coming to Alaska Hearing, my biggest concern was price point value. Yes, hearing aids are as expensive as a mid-range laptop, but the benefits are worth it."

Steve M