II. Procedures

  1. Cochlear Implant
    1. Surgically placed device that directly stimulates the auditory nerve (bypassing hair cells)
    2. Indicated in Moderate to profound bilateral Sensorineural Hearing Loss
  2. Electroacoustic Stimulation (Hybrid Cochlear Implant)
    1. Indicated in high frequency Sensorineural Hearing Loss with relatively preserved low frequency Hearing
    2. Moderate to profound high frequency Sensorineural Hearing Loss
      1. Cochlear Implant at Cochlea's basal turn (high frequency region)
    3. Mild low frequency Hearing Loss
      1. Hearing Aid amplifies low frequencies
  3. Bone-Anchored Hearing Aid
    1. Indicated in unilateral profound Sensorineural Hearing Loss with preserved Hearing in other ear
    2. External device attaches to bone anchored device and transmits vibration to skull
    3. Cochlea is stimulated in better ear via bone conduction
  4. Implantable Middle Ear Hearing Device
    1. Microphone in ear conducts sound to implanted middle ear transducer
    2. Indicated in stable Sensorineural Hearing Loss with preserved word recognition, and cannot use Hearing Aid

III. Indications: Cochlear Implant

  1. Moderate to profound bilateral Sensorineural Hearing Loss
  2. Medicare criteria
    1. Moderate to profound bilateral Sensorineural Hearing Loss AND
    2. Minimal benefit with Hearing Aids
    3. No middle ear disease
    4. No significant cognitive deficit (e.g. Dementia) that interferes with Hearing Aid use

IV. Efficacy

  1. Improved speech Perception, social function and quality of life

V. References

Images: Related links to external sites (from Bing)

Related Studies