Cochlear Implants in Sydney

What is a cochlear implant?

A cochlear implant is different from a hearing aid. A hearing aid makes sounds louder. A cochlear implant is used when the tiny hearing cells inside the inner ear (the cochlea) are damaged and can no longer pick up sound properly, even when it is amplified. Instead of making sound louder, the implant turns sound into electrical signals and sends them directly to the hearing nerve, bypassing the damaged part of the ear.

A cochlear implant has two parts:

• An internal part (the implant itself), placed under the skin behind the ear during surgery, with a thin wire (electrode) that sits inside the cochlea.

• An external part (the sound processor), worn behind or on the ear like a hearing aid. It picks up sound, turns it into a signal and sends it through the skin to the internal part using a magnet.

Who may benefit from a cochlear implant?

Cochlear implants are generally considered when hearing aids no longer provide enough benefit for understanding speech, even when properly fitted. In Australia, a referral guideline for adults known as the “60/70 rule” helps identify when a full cochlear implant assessment is worthwhile. A referral is suggested when, in either ear:

• the average hearing loss at 500, 1000 and 2000 Hz is 60 decibels or worse without a hearing aid, and

• the speech score is 70% or less without a hearing aid (the percentage of speech sounds correctly repeated in a standard word test).

The rule was developed using Australian hearing test practices, adapting the American “60/60” guideline (Sucher et al., International Journal of Audiology, 2026). Meeting these numbers does not automatically mean a person needs an implant. It means a referral to a specialised cochlear implant clinic for full testing is worthwhile. Adults of any age can be candidates, including people in their 70s and 80s. Age itself is not a barrier, though other health conditions are considered as part of the overall assessment.

Cochlear implants for children

Dr Reddy implants children of all ages, including babies born with hearing loss, and works with the Shepherd Centre and the team at Sydney Children’s Hospital. Early implantation gives children the best opportunity to develop spoken language. In 2026 he led the surgical team that performed four cochlear implants on twin brothers in a single day, an Australian first (ABC News).

How is a cochlear implant placed?

The implant is placed during a single operation under general anaesthesia (fully asleep), and most people go home the same day or after one night in hospital. For adults who cannot safely have a general anaesthetic, Dr Reddy can also perform the surgery under local anaesthesia. During surgery:

1. A small incision is made behind the ear.

2. A small area of the skull bone is shaped to hold the internal device securely under the skin.

3. A tiny opening is made into the cochlea, and the thin electrode is gently threaded inside.

4. The incision is closed. The internal device stays permanently under the skin, and nothing is visible from the outside once healed.

The operation is usually well tolerated and is not typically described as very painful. Serious complications are uncommon. Possible risks include wound infection, temporary dizziness, changes in taste, or (rarely) facial nerve irritation or loss of remaining natural hearing in the implanted ear. Dr Reddy has worked with all major implant manufacturers.

Recovery and switch-on

• The incision is allowed to heal for about 2 to 4 weeks. The implant is not turned on during this time.

• Once healed, an audiologist turns the device on for the first time. This is called activation or switch-on.

• Sounds often seem strange, robotic or high-pitched at first. This is normal: the brain needs time to learn to interpret the new signal.

• Over the following 3 to 6 months, sound quality typically keeps improving, and further gains can continue for up to 2 to 3 years.

• During the first year, 6 to 9 visits with the audiologist are typical to fine-tune the settings and support listening practice.

• Wearing the processor all day, listening to familiar audiobooks or music, and practising conversation in quiet settings first all help.

For wound care, activity and warning signs after surgery, see the cochlear implant recovery guide (PDF).

What results can be expected?

Most adults experience a substantial improvement in their ability to understand speech, particularly in quiet, compared with their hearing before the implant. Many people also report better day-to-day communication, more confidence in social situations and a better quality of life. Understanding speech in background noise usually improves too, although it may remain harder than in quiet.

It is important to have realistic expectations. Hearing through a cochlear implant does not sound exactly like natural hearing, and the benefit varies between people. Most people, however, find it a significant improvement, and satisfaction rates are generally high.

Costs: public and private options

Cochlear implant surgery with Dr Reddy can be performed in a public hospital, at no cost to you under Medicare, for patients who meet the eligibility criteria and live within the local health districts where Dr Reddy works (South Eastern Sydney and South Western Sydney), and for eligible children through the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network. Surgery can also be performed in a private hospital, where Dr Reddy uses known-gap arrangements with health funds, depending on your level of cover, so you know exactly what you will pay before surgery.

Surgical fees for cochlear implants vary widely, and some patients are quoted large out-of-pocket costs. Dr Reddy believes cost should never be the reason someone misses out on hearing, and his fees are set to keep this care accessible. You will receive a written estimate of all costs before any surgery.

Referral and assessment

GPs can email referrals to referrals@drrithvikreddy.com or use the online referral form. Audiologists are welcome to contact the rooms about possible candidates; please include recent audiograms and speech test results. Dr Reddy consults in Sydney CBD, Gregory Hills and Campbelltown. Related information: asymmetric hearing loss and MRI (PDF).

Dr Rithvik Reddy

Expert ENT services for adults and children.

Contact for appointments

Referring doctors can email referrals@drrithvikreddy.com to make appointment

Macarthur ENT

Shop 2101, Level 2, 31A Lasso Rd, Gregory Hills NSW 2557

Suite 102, Building B, Level 1, 4 Hyde Parade, Campbelltown NSW 2560

Phone (02) 4625 1682 · Fax (02) 4625 1032

Mon–Fri 8am–5pm

My-ENT, Sydney CBD

Suite 303, Level 3, BMA House, 135 Macquarie Street, Sydney NSW 2000

Phone (02) 9247 1762 · Fax (02) 9247 2141

Mon–Fri 8:30am–5pm

© 2026 Dr Rithvik Reddy. All rights reserved.