American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

Making effective communication, a human right, accessible and achievable for all.

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The FDA first approved cochlear implant devices for adults in 1985 and for children in 1990.
More than 30,000 individuals worldwide have received cochlear implants.
Approximately 14,000 individuals in the U.S. have received cochlear implants (NIDCD).
Both audiologists and speech-language pathologists provide aural rehabilitation services to implant recipients to facilitate their ability to detect and understand speech with the cochlear implant.
The average cost for cochlear implants is more than $40,000.
An increase in early hearing detection and intervention (EHDI) programs as a result of legislation and advocacy efforts by organizations such as ASHA has allowed for the identification of more children who may benefit from cochlear implants during recent years.
Typically, the younger a child who was born deaf is implanted, the greater the benefit achieved in the areas of speech perception and speech and language development.
Among the professionals who may work as part of the cochlear implant team are audiologists, speech-language pathologists, educators, surgeons, medical specialists, psychologists and counselors. Audiologists are involved in many components of the cochlear implant program, including determining the candidacy of an individual for implantation, as well as activating and programming of the speech processor after surgery.
Cochlear implantation consistently ranks among the most cost-effective medical procedures ever reported.