II. Procedures
- Cochlear Implant
- Surgically placed device that directly stimulates the auditory nerve (bypassing hair cells)
- Indicated in Moderate to profound bilateral Sensorineural Hearing Loss
- Electroacoustic Stimulation (Hybrid Cochlear Implant)
- Indicated in high frequency Sensorineural Hearing Loss with relatively preserved low frequency Hearing
- Moderate to profound high frequency Sensorineural Hearing Loss
- Cochlear Implant at Cochlea's basal turn (high frequency region)
- Mild low frequency Hearing Loss
- Hearing Aid amplifies low frequencies
- Bone-Anchored Hearing Aid
- Indicated in unilateral profound Sensorineural Hearing Loss with preserved Hearing in other ear
- External device attaches to bone anchored device and transmits vibration to skull
- Cochlea is stimulated in better ear via bone conduction
- Implantable Middle Ear Hearing Device
- Microphone in ear conducts sound to implanted middle ear transducer
- Indicated in stable Sensorineural Hearing Loss with preserved word recognition, and cannot use Hearing Aid
III. Indications: Cochlear Implant
- Moderate to profound bilateral Sensorineural Hearing Loss
-
Medicare criteria
- Moderate to profound bilateral Sensorineural Hearing Loss AND
- Minimal benefit with Hearing Aids
- No middle ear disease
- No significant cognitive deficit (e.g. Dementia) that interferes with Hearing Aid use
IV. Efficacy
- Improved speech Perception, social function and quality of life
V. References
- Tisch (2017) GMS Curr Top Otorrhinolaryngol Head Neck Surg 16:1-22
- Michels (2019) Am Fam Physician 100(2): 98-108 [PubMed]