Cochlear Implant Candidacy Questions:

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When hearing aid/s are not providing adequate benefit, it may be appropriate to consider a Cochlear Implant. A cochlear implant candidacy assessment is warranted if a patient answers yes to two or more of the functional hearing questions:

• Moderate (45dBHL) to Profound (110dBHL) sensorineural hearing loss

• Ski slop hearing loss, normal or mild hearing (35dBHL) to profound sensorineural hearing loss

• Poor word recognition scores (less than 65% in either ear)

• Are daily social or professional interactions significantly impacted by their hearing loss

• While wearing appropriately fitted hearing aids, the patient experiences significant difficulties hearing in quiet situations and/or in noise

• Difficulty hearing on the telephone

• Dissatisfaction with appropriately fitted hearing aids

• Difficulties hearing with one or more people when in background noise

• Difficulties hearing without lip reading cues

• Frequently asking people to repeat themselves

• Socially isolating due to the difficulties and effort involved with listening and communicating

• Frustration over their hearing

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Typical Cochlear Implant Journey

1. Candidacy Assessment

A candidacy assessment typically includes:

• Comprehensive audiological case history

• Diagnostic Audiological assessment

• Evaluation and optimization of current hearing aids or set up of DEMO devices for testing purposes.

• Aided speech assessment

• Functional and Quality of Life questionnaires

• Counselling regarding outcomes and expectations

• Discussion of Manufactures

• Discussion of funding – Private Hospital Cover

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If your audiological assessment meets cochlear implant criteria, you will have an appointment with the ENT surgeon, Dr. Nadine de Alwis.

2. Pre-Operative ENT assessment
The ENT specialist appointment typically includes:

• Medical and audiological case history

• Physical ENT examination

• Counselling about expectations and outcomes

• Counselling about CI surgery

• Referral of radiological investigations (MRI & CT scans)

• Possible referral for vestibular function testing

There is often a review or telehealth appointment following the imaging and vestibular function testing to confirm medical candidacy for cochlear implantation.

3. Surgery

• The cochlear implant electrode is inserted into the cochlea

• An x-ray is taken to ensure the electrode array is positioned correctly

• The cochlear implant is tested to ensure it is functioning correctly

• A tight, pressure bandage is wrapped around the surgical site

• Typically, there is an overnight stay in the Hospital and you go home the following day

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4. Post-Operative Appointments

• One week following surgery, there is a post-operative review

• Two weeks following surgery, the cochlear implant is switched on

• Cochlear implant mapping and counseling regarding device and expectations

• Ongoing mapping and device management appointments

• Ongoing Auditory rehabilitation

• One year following surgery, at least one yearly appointment to evaluate residual hearing, mapping and cochlear implant outcomes