Children with hearing loss as young as 12 months old may be eligible for a cochlear implant. Experts recommend implantation as early as possible to expose children to sounds during the critical period of language acquisition. After implantation, they must undergo intense speech and language therapy to achieve the best possible outcome from the device. 

Children are considered viable candidates when they:

• Have profound hearing loss in both ears.
• Get little or no benefit through the use of hearing aids.
• Are healthy and any medical conditions would not compromise surgery.
• Understand (when able), along with their parents, their role in the successful use of cochlear implants.
• Have support from an educational program that will emphasize the development of auditory skills.