History

The Cochlear Implant Program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in collaboration with UNC Health represents the largest and most prestigious cochlear implant center in North Carolina and is well recognized both nationwide and internationally. Over 300 cochlear implantation procedures are performed annually at UNC Health. Click to learn more about cochlear implants at UNC Health.

The program was founded in the 1970s and has grown and thrived over the years, providing quality medical care to thousands of cochlear implant recipients both young and old. The number of patients implanted annually continues to rise as a result of expanding candidacy criteria for cochlear implantation as well as new developments in cutting-edge cochlear implant technology. Novel clinical trials and cochlear implant research studies are ongoing at UNC Health.

The UNC Adult Cochlear Implant Program incorporates a knowledgeable and sophisticated team of scientists and healthcare professionals. Click to read more about the UNC Adult Cochlear Implant Program Faculty and Staff.

The UNC Adult Cochlear Implant Program actively serves patients 18 years of age and older who are likely to benefit from implantable technology. There is no upper age limit to cochlear implantation. In fact, about one third of our patients are above 65 years of age.

Am I a candidate for cochlear implants? Learn more about cochlear implant candidacy criteria.

The UNC Cochlear Implant Program is a proud founding member of the American Cochlear Implant (ACI) Alliance.