Cochlear Implant Evaluation

What happens at a cochlear implant evaluation?

Adults considering cochlear implantation must first have a complete audiogram. If this has been completed at another facility, your records will be requested in advance of making any appointments so that we can ensure that a cochlear implant evaluation is appropriate. You may refer yourself for this evaluation, but records and an order for the evaluation will need to be sent from your physician. At the appointment, your audiologist will discuss the history of your hearing loss and your expereince with hearing aids. Please bring your hearing aids with you to your appointment. Testing will be completed using your current devices. If you do not have hearing aids or if your current aids are not appropirate for your hearing loss, you may be asked to complete a trial period with new devices. This step is required by the FDA to ensure that candidates for implantation are selected appropriately. Word recognition testing will be completed in a variety of conditions. Some tests will include sentances for you to repeat and some use single words. The tests can be quite difficult, espcially for someone who is a cochlear implant candidate. Just do your best and don't get discouraged. Following the testing the audiolgist will review the test results with you. If the audiologist feels that a hearing aid trial is needed, she will discuss this process with you. The audiologist will also review how an implant works and show you the components.

The audiologist can answer many questions that you may have, however, some questions will be best addressed by our implant surgeon, Dr. Carol Bauer, MD. If you need an interpreter, please inform the receptionist when she calls to make your appointment.

I am a candidate. What happens next?

An appointment to consult with Dr. Bauer, MD will be made to discuss your medical history and the surgical process. She and her nurse will review your evaluation and discuss any questions or concners you may have. If you continue with implantation, there are additional tests and medical clearances that are obtained prior to surgery.

Does insurance cover cochlear implants?

Most insurances have a beenfit for cochlear implantation. Prior to surgery, your insurance will be contacted for pre-ceritifcation of benefits.