Your Cochlear Implant Experts in Greensboro, NC

In many cases, hearing aids provide the best solution for our patients with hearing loss, allowing them to successfully engage in the world around them. However, for some individuals, hearing aids are inadequate for meeting their hearing challenges.

At Aim Hearing and Audiology Services, hearing care is not a one-size-fits-all approach, which is why we work tirelessly to help maximize your hearing potential. Whenever we have maximized our hearing aid solutions with limited benefit, we look to cochlear implants as an additional solution.

With specialized care provided by Dr. Shannon Frymark, AuD, and Dr. Jenna Raymond, AuD, as well as state-of-the-art cochlear hearing implant technology, we’re able to explore solutions for the most challenging hearing conditions.

Our cochlear implant team includes top surgeons around North Carolina, as well as an auditory-verbal therapist. We’ve used our expertise to support hundreds of patients with the unique circumstances that call for cochlear implants in order to help them hear better.

“Donna has been living with a hearing loss for much of her life and remembers the “light bulb moment” too well. Over 20 years ago, she finally decided that she needed to do something about her hearing and came to Aim Hearing and Audiology Services for help. As soon as she walked into the clinic, she recognized how “extremely helpful, professional, and friendly” the whole team is. After having a cochlear implant fitted and a new pair of hearing aids, it changed her life in many ways and “opened up a new world.” She encourages others to take the first step, adding, “If they have any question about their hearing, they MUST go to Aim Hearing.” Donna rates her experience with Aim Hearing and Audiology Services as 10/10.”

- Donna Besch

What Is A Cochlear Implant?

Approved by the FDA in the 1970s, cochlear implants provide sound sensation to individuals with severe hearing loss. Like all other electronic devices, advanced micro-digital technology continues to contribute to their improved performance.

A cochlear implant is an electronic device designed to replace the function of the inner ear, mimicking natural hearing. The two main components of a cochlear implant system are an external processor and an internal implant.

A modified sound signal produced by the external sound processor is transmitted into the cochlea using implanted electrodes in order to stimulate the auditory nerve. Sound signals from the auditory nerve reach the brain, where they are processed as sounds.

Though the device does not cure hearing loss, it does help restore access to sound for the patient.

Frequently Asked Questions

#1 – What Benefits Can You Expect From A Cochlear Implant?

The most significant advantage of a cochlear implant is the increased sensation of sound, which can improve clarity and provide hearing at softer levels.

This improved capacity can provide benefits like:

The ability to hear conversations more clearly and distinguish sounds at a softer level
Improve your level of comfort while speaking on the phone
Allow you to keep your voice at a volume level that is more comfortable for yourself and others

#2 – Who Is a Good Candidate For A Cochlear Implant?

Deciding whether you are a good candidate for a cochlear implant involves input from both your audiologist and the surgeon who will perform the procedure. We work with both children and adults, and there is no upper age limit for a cochlear implant.

You might be a good candidate for a cochlear implant evaluation if you are currently fit with hearing aids but experience:

Difficulty with clarity and understanding in quiet or noise
Social isolation from an inability to understand people around you
Difficulty understanding people on the phone
Relying on lip-reading to communicate

#3 – What Happens During A Cochlear Implant Evaluation?

Cochlear implant evaluations are performed in our clinic by either Dr. Frymark or Dr. Raymond. This includes an evaluation of your case history, a comprehensive audiological evaluation, as well as a thorough assessment of your ability to hear and understand words with appropriate hearing aid technology.

Factors included in their recommendation are:

Your level of hearing loss
Your ability to understand words
The therapeutic effectiveness, or lack of effectiveness of hearing aids
Your medical history

In a nutshell, cochlear implants are intended for patients with moderate to profound hearing loss when hearing aids are not sufficient to improve word understanding at certain levels.

#4 – Personalized, Collaborative Care For Your Hearing Needs

Our cochlear implant professionals provide highly individualized care and will explain the pros and cons of cochlear implants for your specific case and answer all your questions and concerns. We will refer you to one of our collaborative surgeons for a medical evaluation and our auditory-verbal therapist for a baseline assessment. Our goal is to provide personalized care to help determine if a cochlear implant is appropriate for you and to prepare you for the emotional and social adjustments that come with a cochlear implant.

The background and experience of Dr. Frymark and Dr. Raymond, as well as their genuine concern for the interests of our patients, make them the trusted experts hundreds have turned to for an opportunity to hear their best using cochlear implants.

The hearing care team at Aim Hearing & Audiology of Greensboro

Find Out If Cochlear Hearing Implants Are Right For You

If you are interested in exploring how cochlear implants might provide the right hearing solution for you or a loved one, please complete and submit the adjacent form. A member of our team will call you for a friendly, no-obligation conversation.