The implant doesn't make you hear normally again, but it can help you with sounds. Most people with severe to profound hearing loss can understand speech in person or over the phone better than they did with a hearing aid. It can usually help you know sounds around you, including telephones, doorbells, and alarms.

Can you hear with a cochlear implant?

"By using a cochlear implant, they're clearly able to hear more. They can hear at greater distances, and can even talk on the phone with familiar people by directly coupling the telephone to their processor or by holding the phone up to the implant microphone," she said.

Do cochlear implants restore normal hearing?

Cochlear implants don't restore normal hearing, says Nandkumar. But depending on the individual, they can help the wearer recognize words and better understand speech, including when using a telephone.