Cochlear Implants
Severe Hearing Loss? Cochlear Implants Can Change Your Life
When hearing aids no longer provide clear sound, cochlear implants offer a proven solution for severe to profound hearing loss. Find out if you’re a candidate.
What Is a Cochlear Implant?
A cochlear implant is a surgically implanted device for people with severe to profound hearing loss who no longer benefit from hearing aids.
Unlike hearing aids that amplify sound, cochlear implants bypass the damaged inner ear and directly stimulate the auditory nerve with electrical signals, restoring speech understanding and access to sound.
How Does a Cochlear Implant Work?
Cochlear implants work differently than hearing aids. Instead of amplifying sound, they convert sound into electrical signals that directly stimulate the auditory nerve.
We Listen to Your Experience
External Sound Processor
Internal Implant
Who Is a Cochlear Implant For?
Cochlear implants are designed for people with severe
to profound hearing loss who no longer benefit from hearing aids.
You may be a candidate if:
- You have severe to profound hearing loss in both ears
- Hearing aids no longer provide clear understanding of speech, even when optimally fitted
- You struggle to follow conversations, even with hearing aids
- You're motivated to participate in auditory rehabilitation after surgery
- You want to regain access to sound and improve your quality of life
The best way to find out if you’re a candidate is through
a comprehensive cochlear implant assessment at
Shire Hearing.
Cochlear Implants vs. Bone Anchored Hearing Aids (BAHA): What's the Difference?
Both are surgical hearing solutions, but they’re designed for different types of hearing loss.
Cochlear Implants
- For severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss (damage to the inner ear or auditory nerve)
- Directly stimulates the auditory nerve with electrical signals
- Requires surgery to implant electrodes inside the cochlea
- Best for people who get little to no benefit from hearing aids
Bone Anchored Hearing Aids (BAHA)
- For conductive or mixed hearing loss, or single-sided deafness
- Uses bone conduction to transmit sound vibrations through the skull
- Bypasses the outer and middle ear
- Best for people whose inner ear (cochlea) is healthy but sound can't reach it
Not sure which is right for you? A comprehensive hearing assessment at Shire Hearing will determine the best solution for your specific type and degree of hearing loss.
Your Cochlear Implant Assessment at Shire Hearing
Step 1
Case History
We’ll discuss your hearing loss journey, medical history, and how it’s affecting your daily life.
Step 2
Audiological Assessment
Comprehensive hearing evaluation including otoscopy, pure tone audiometry, speech discrimination testing, and tympanometry.
Step 3
Aided Speech Discrimination Testing
We’ll test your speech understanding with your optimally fitted hearing aids in quiet and noisy environments to determine if a cochlear implant is needed.
Step 4
Cochlear Implant Education
We’ll explain how the system works, the surgical procedure, device components, benefits and limitations, auditory rehabilitation requirements, and funding options (Medicare, private insurance, Hearing Services Program).
Step 45
ENT Referral
Why Families Across the Shire Trust Us With Their Hearing
We’re not just another hearing clinic. Here’s what makes Shire Hearing different.
- Count on Us for Hassle-Free SupportYour hearing aids come with full servicing during the warranty period. Need a quick clean or adjustment? Just drop in. No appointment, no fuss, no waiting around.
- Receive Care That's Tailored to Your Unique NeedsYour hearing is as unique as you are. We create personalised solutions based on your lifestyle, preferences, and hearing profile.
- Get Honest, Unbiased RecommendationsWe're independent, family-owned, so we're free to recommend what's truly best for you. Not what earns us the highest commission.
- Trusted by the Doctors Who Know BestLocal GPs refer patients to us because they know we prioritise proper care and genuine results over quick sales.
- You Take Your Time. No Rushed AppointmentsOur appointments are longer because you deserve time to ask questions, understand your options, and feel confident in your decisions.
- You're Family, Not Just a CustomerWe treat every client like family and build lifelong relationships. Our friendly, compassionate team is here for you, from your first visit to decades of care.
Hear it for yourself
“My introduction to Shire Hearing was with my mother who lives in Cronulla, I live in Wollongong. Rachel was very caring with my mother who will be 99 on Anzac Day 2020.
My experience with hearing aids started when I mentioned my tinnitus, during the conversation I realised Rachel was very knowledgeable and she told me when I started to lose my hearing, wearing hearing aids would help. They did!”
We had a lovely experience from booking to assessment. The clinic is accessible and they had loads of availability at the Engadine location. The assessor was gentle and relaxed and created a calm and fun environment for our child. 5 stars 🌟
Honestly the most amazing place to get your hearing tests done ✅. I’ve never felt more welcomed & safe before & highly highly recommend the lovely Krystal @ Engadine Clinic. Such great service and knowledge , I couldn’t recommend enough. Please choose Shire hearing Engadine for your next appointment ❤️.
What a great and calm experience! Krystal connected straight away with my toddler son, She took the time to play and engage with my son other than just for testing.
Usually my son is hard to get to cooperate with visual assessments of his ears, but he was happy and comfortable with Krystal.
Would highly recommend Shire Hearing Engadine!
Krystal at Shire Hearing was fantastic with our two neurodiverse boys. She had them cooperating, engaged and interested. And she picked up a previously unknown issue so we can look into it further. Fantastic experience and service!
They are amazing. Any issue with hearing aids they fix for free. Even if it’s just changing the filters. When I was choosing my new hearing aids they lent programmable ones to try and compare. I got the top ones in the end. The programs on the App are also designed just for me which helps adjusting in noisy environments.
Proudly Serving the Sutherland Shire Community
Shire Hearing has two convenient locations in Cronulla and Engadine, making expert hearing care accessible right here in the Shire community.
Cronulla Clinic
- Shop 10/38-40 Croydon Street, Cronulla NSW 2230, Australia
- (02) 9544 4466
- Monday to Friday (9AM - 5PM)
Engadine Clinic
- Shop 6/10 Waratah Rd, Engadine NSW 2233, Australia
- (02) 9520 4774
- Monday to Friday (9AM - 5PM)
FAQs
Find Out If a Cochlear Implant Is Right for You
If hearing aids no longer provide clear sound, a cochlear implant may restore your ability to hear and understand speech. Start with a comprehensive candidacy assessment at Shire Hearing.