Mount Sinai neurotologists are part of one of the biggest cochlear implant centers in the United States, implanting patients of all ages with hearing loss. Cochlear implants were first FDA-approved in the 1980s for patients with profound hearing loss in both ears, but over the years more and more people are now eligible, including those with hearing loss on only one side and those with some residual hearing left. Cochlear implants are highly effective for patients with sensorineural hearing loss, where the cells that conduct sound to the brain are not working well. A cochlear implant goes directly in the inner ear and stimulates different parts of the cochlea depending on the frequency, or pitch of the sound. Mount Sinai implants babies, children, young adults, and older adults who have lost, or never had hearing. For a child with severe hearing loss, the sooner they are implanted, the better. It is ideal to place the cochlear implant before the time when children are supposed to acquire language so that they get the best outcomes. In children and adults who lost their hearing after learning how to speak, this is less of an issue. Cochlear implant surgery is just one part of the healing process, however. Patients must work closely with the audiology team to undergo hearing rehabilitation to get the best results. Cochlear implants are now able to stream with cell phones and televisions, which is life-changing for patients who could not use the phone or watch TV before surgery.
As one of the leading cochlear implant centers in the country, Mount Sinai is a part of several research projects and routinely collaborates with the three major cochlear implant companies to deliver the best options and results for patients.
Cochlear implant surgery is performed on an outpatient basis, with patients going home the same day. With the newest cochlear implants, patients are able to safely get MRIs and CT scans, which is game-changing for patients with other issues such as acoustic neuroma/vestibular schwannoma and cervical spine issues.
George Wanna, MD, FACS Chair of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai and Mount Sinai Beth Israel Chief, Division of Otology-Neurotology Mount Sinai Health System Professor of Otolaryngology, and Neurosurgery Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Maura K. Cosetti, MD Director, Ear Institute at New York Eye and Ear Infirmary (NYEE) of Mount Sinai Director, Cochlear Implant Program Mount Sinai Health System
Enrique R. Perez, MD, MBA Director of Otology-Neurotology The Mount Sinai Hospital Assistant Professor, Otolaryngology Mount Sinai Health System
Zachary G. Schwam, MD Assistant Professor, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Division of Otology-Neurotology, Lateral Skull Base Surgery Mount Sinai Health System
