Clinic Hours: Monday – Friday - 8am - 4pm
Phone: 09 631 1965
Email: office@ear.co.nz
Cochlear Implants
Auckland NZ (Grown ups page)
Rediscover the sounds that matter. If hearing aids are no longer enough, a cochlear implant can restore clarity of speech and reconnect you with conversation, work and the people you love.
What is a Cochlear Implant?
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A cochlear implant is a hearing device for people with severe to profound hearing loss — hearing loss that hearing aids can no longer help. Rather than simply making sound louder, it delivers sound directly to the hearing nerve, restoring clarity.
It has two parts. An external sound processor sits behind the ear like a hearing aid, picking up sound and passing it to a small antenna. A second part, placed under the skin during a short operation, receives that signal and sends it along an electrode array into the cochlea — the hearing organ of the inner ear — stimulating the hearing nerve directly.
In short: hearing aids amplify sound; a cochlear implant bypasses the damaged part of the ear and speaks to the hearing nerve itself.
What may I reasonably expect?
For most adults, a cochlear implant is a life-changing step. Hearing is stabilised and usually stays stable.
Clearer speech
Significantly improved clarity of speech perception, making conversation easier to follow.
Back on the phone
Many adults hear well enough to use a standard telephone again.
Confidence & independence
Self-confidence typically improves, along with the ability to work and manage everyday tasks.
And yes — you can swim. With a special waterproof cover, adults can now wear their processor in the water. Every person is different, and your cochlear implant team will give you advice tailored to your hearing.
Am I a candidate?
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Cochlear implants help adults whose hearing loss has moved beyond what hearing aids can manage.
Adults with bilateral severe or worse hearing loss who get limited benefit from the most powerful hearing aids may be candidates. A key test is how well you understand speech with your hearing aids on.
Age is not a limiting factor- with substantial numbers of adults in their 70's, 80's and even 90's receiving cochlear implants
Sooner is better: studies show adults implanted earlier hear better than those who wait
When should it be done?
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The simplest answer is as early as possible. An ear that can no longer benefit from a hearing aid gradually loses its nerve supply over a couple of decades. The longer an ear has been profoundly deaf and unaided, the less benefit an implant tends to give.
So an adult implanted after a shorter duration of deafness generally hears better than someone who waits many years. If your ability to hear on the telephone — with hearing aids on — is deteriorating, that is a good moment to come for an assessment.
The message is consistent: don't wait for hearing to disappear completely. Earlier action protects your outcome.
Two ears are better than one
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Where possible, we recommend implanting both ears. There is now good evidence — from overseas research and our own experience — that two implants outperform one.
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Better understanding of speech in background noise
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The ability to tell which direction a sound is coming from
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A greater sense of being connected and centred in the world of sound
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A useful back-up if one battery unexpectedly goes flat
For most adults who receive an implant, this is a life-changing event.
— Dr Colin Brown, Cochlear Implant Surgeon
How is the assessment done?
Assessment usually begins with a referral from an audiologist or hearing therapist to the public or private cochlear implant programme. It is carried out by Dr Brown together with specialist cochlear implant audiologists and hearing therapists, and includes further hearing testing plus MRI (and sometimes CT) imaging of the ears and head.
Funding in New Zealand
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Public funding (currently wait-listed) is available for a single implant for eligible adults with a severe to profound loss in both ears. Dr Brown can help you through this process.
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There is no public funding (other than through ACC) where only one ear is affected, or where the better ear has only a mild loss.
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Insurance funding: Southern Cross Healthcare - dependent on your policy- may cover the cost of consultations and a cochlear implant insertion. Currently, they will also cover the cost of the internal cochlear implant under some hearing criteria as well.
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Insurance Funding: Other insurance companies like AiA, NIB, Partners life- dependent on your policy- may cover the cost of Cochlear Implant insertion. The cost of the cochlear implant and the cochlear processor is approximately NZ 32,000.
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ACC covers the full cost of surgery, the cochlear implant and the cochlear processor following a head injury.
Do I need a referral? Not essential — but preferred. Some insurers require a GP referral before you can claim.
Cochlear implant surgery
Dr Brown consults from and performs this surgery at Southern Cross Gillies Hospital, 160 Gillies Ave, Epsom — the Auckland Centre for Cochlear Implant Surgery.
It is a "routine" procedure, taking around 2 hours under general anaesthetic. A small amount of hair is shaved behind the ear, a pocket is created to house the implant, and the electrode array is gently threaded into the inner ear. The incision is closed with dissolving stitches and skin glue, and a light head bandage is worn overnight.
Many people go home the same day; some stay overnight. Paracetamol and an anti-inflammatory manage any discomfort for about 5–7 days. Most people feel well quickly.
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Images: Cochlear Ltd and client photos
Switch-on & programming​
Switch-on (days 1–7)
Your processor is activated and each electrode is adjusted to give you the best possible hearing.
Fine-tuning (weeks & months)
The stimulation of each electrode is refined as your brain adapts to the new sound.
Settling in (after ~1 year)
Usually only minimal adjustment is needed.
Safe, well-established, in experienced hands
Cochlear implantation is one of the most successful procedures in modern medicine. In experienced hands it is very safe, and Dr Brown's own results reflect that.
A proven track record
Across Dr Brown's patients, there have been no cases of infection and no facial nerve injuries — the complications people most often worry about.
10-year guarantee
The internal device is guaranteed for 10 years, with a failure rate under 1%. In the rare event it's needed, the implant can be replaced.
MRI-compatible
Current implants are compatible with MRI scanning, so your future imaging needs are looked after.