Cochlear Implants

For some people with significant hearing loss, even appropriately fitted hearing aids may no longer provide enough speech understanding. When hearing aids are no longer helping you communicate as well as you need, a cochlear implant may be another option to consider.

Ask yourself these questions:

1. Am I wearing hearing aids but still struggling to understand speech?
2. Do I hear people talking but have difficulty understanding the words?
3. Do I struggle even when my hearing aids have been appropriately fitted?
4. Do I depend heavily on lip reading?
5. Have I been told that my word understanding is poor?
6. Has my ENT or audiologist mentioned a cochlear implant?

A cochlear implant is different from a hearing aid. Hearing aids amplify sound, while a cochlear implant is designed to provide access to sound by electrically stimulating the auditory system. Determining whether a cochlear implant is appropriate begins with a comprehensive Cochlear Implant (CI) Evaluation.

At PAC Audiology, our audiologists provide cochlear implant evaluations, activation, programming, and follow-up care. We work closely with ENT physicians and cochlear implant surgeons to coordinate your care throughout the process.

Could a Cochlear Implant Be Right for Me?

You may benefit from a cochlear implant evaluation if:

• You have severe or significant hearing loss.
• Your hearing aids are no longer providing enough benefit.
• You can hear sounds with hearing aids but still have difficulty understanding speech.
• You have significant difficulty understanding conversations, even when people are speaking clearly.
• You rely heavily on visual cues or lip reading despite wearing hearing aids.
• Your ENT or another healthcare provider has recommended a Cochlear Implant Evaluation.

Having a cochlear implant evaluation does not mean that you have decided to receive a cochlear implant. The purpose of the evaluation is to determine whether you may be a candidate and to help you understand your options.

What Happens During a Cochlear Implant Evaluation?

A cochlear implant evaluation is more comprehensive than a routine hearing test.

Our audiologists will review your hearing history, current hearing aids, previous test results, and communication concerns. We will evaluate how well you hear and understand speech with appropriately fitted hearing aids and perform specialized speech testing used to assess cochlear implant candidacy.

If you have had a hearing test performed by an audiologist within the past six months, please provide us with a copy before your appointment. Our audiologists will review the results and determine which testing needs to be completed.

After your evaluation, we will explain the results and discuss whether a cochlear implant may be an appropriate option. When appropriate, we will coordinate the next steps with your ENT or cochlear implant surgeon.

We encourage you to bring a family member or another person involved in your hearing healthcare. There is a lot of information to discuss, and having someone with you can be helpful.

Balance Testing Before Cochlear Implant Surgery

Your ENT or cochlear implant surgeon may request vestibular (balance) testing as part of your evaluation before surgery.

PAC Audiology provides comprehensive balance evaluations as well as individual vestibular tests, including caloric testing. If your physician requests balance testing, it will generally be scheduled separately from your cochlear implant evaluation.

After Cochlear Implant Surgery

Our care does not end with the candidacy evaluation.

PAC Audiology provides:

• CI Activation
• CI Programming and Follow-Up Care

Your cochlear implant requires individualized programming and ongoing follow-up as you adjust to hearing with the device. Our audiologists will work with you and your medical team throughout this process.

If you receive a kit containing your cochlear implant equipment and accessories after surgery, please bring it with you to your activation and follow-up appointments.

Already Have a Cochlear Implant?

You do not have to be a new cochlear implant candidate to contact us.

If you already have one or two cochlear implants and are looking for an audiologist for programming or ongoing follow-up care, please contact our office.

When scheduling, please let us know which cochlear implant manufacturer you use so that we can confirm that we are able to support your device.

Coordinated Cochlear Implant Care at PAC Audiology

Choosing to pursue a cochlear implant is an important decision. Our role is to help you understand your hearing, determine whether you may be a candidate, and provide audiological care before and after surgery.

Our audiologists work collaboratively with ENT physicians and cochlear implant surgeons so that your evaluation, surgery, activation, and ongoing programming can be coordinated as smoothly as possible.

If you have been referred for a cochlear implant evaluation or would like to learn whether a cochlear implant may be an option for you, contact PAC Audiology to schedule an appointment.

^{Image courtesy of Cochlear Americas.}