 This
program is for adults who are cochlear implant candidates. Our
implant team works with all three implant manufacturers: Cochlear
Corporation, Advanced Bionics, and MedEl Corporation. Our team
also has experiance with the Nucleus Auditory Brainstem Implant
(ABI).
Candidacy
is considered on an individual basis for each patient. Current
FDA criteria state that an adult (18 years and older) must demonstrate
a moderate to severe/profound sensorineural hearing loss and limited
benefit from traditional amplification. Limited benefit is defined
as a score in the "best-aided" condition on the HINT
Sentence test of less than 60%. Our program considers candidacy
for post-lingually deafened adults (those who lost their hearing
after learning spoken language) as well as for pre-lingually deafened
adults (those who lost their hearing prior to the development
of spoken language). Other factors considered in candidacy include
the integrity of the auditory nerve and cochlea, a patient's ability
to undergo surgery, patients' expectations and motivation, and
support services availbale for the patient (ie, family support,
transportation, insurance).
The
preoperative testing required in the program includes the following
series of assessments with the approximate times necessary for each
step:
Preoperative:
| Audiologic
Assessment |
1/2
hour |
| Medical
Consultation |
1/2
hour |
| Hearing
Aid Assessment |
1
hour |
| Auditory
Perception Tests |
2
hours |
| CT
Scan |
1
hour |
| Promontory
Evaluation |
2
hours |
| Speech
and Language Assessment |
1
hour |
Surgery is
not scheduled until insurance approval is obtained, which usually
takes between 6-8 weeks. Most insurance companies, including Medicare
and Medicaid, will cover cochlear implantation and our team will
work with patients as much as possible to obtain insurance approval
or appeal any denials of cochlear implant surgery by insurance.
The time
period needed to complete necessary evaluations and to obtain
insurance approvals for surgery is approximately eight weeks.
The tests listed above can typically be completed in three to
five visits.
After
surgical placement of the implant, a four to six week period is
required to allow adequate healing of the incision site. Activation
of the implant is a two day procedure (2 hours on each day). During
the activation, the device is adjusted and tuned using a computer.
The patient then returns one week later for further programming
to monitor any changes in the patient's new hearing. Each patient's
postoperative management varies. Monthly visits to the implant center
for programming may be necessary until the patient's hearing stabilizes.
These visits will last approximately two hours. After the first
year, the patient will be asked to return to the center annually
for a formal evaluation. This is a way to chart each individual's
progress with the cochlear implant.
For
those who feel they may be a candidate for a cochlear implant, our
center encourages an initial assessment to determine candidacy and
discuss the process of implantation. This appointment may be scheduled
by calling (734) 998-8119 or by TTY at (734) 998-8121.
back
to top
|
