Cochlear implants are available to children and adults in Canada who meet the following criteria:

Adults

• Must demonstrate a moderate to severe/profound sensorineural hearing loss
• Have limited benefit from optimally fitted amplification
• Prelingually deafened adults who use oral language as their primary mode of communication, or after (post-linguistic) learning speech and language
• Postlingually deafened (as defined by acquired deafness after the age of five years)
• No medical contraindications
• Realistic expectations and a desire to be a part of the hearing world

Children

• Age 0-18 years
• Severe-to-Profound sensorineural hearing loss bilaterally
• Receive little or no benefit from appropriate hearing aids
• No medical contraindications
• An educational placement where the development of listening and speaking skills is emphasized
• Family support that includes the commitment to the rehabilitative process