Cochlear Implant Program at University Hospitals celebrates its 500th patient
More than two million people in the United States are severely or profoundly deaf, having 90 percent hearing loss in both ears. Some are pre-lingually deaf, having had no hearing from birth or losing their hearing before developing speech and language; others have had their hearing deteriorate over years until everything sounds garbled. The condition affects nearly every aspect of life and has an enormous impact on families. Conventional hearing aids that amplify and deliver sounds to the ear do not improve this type of deafness.
The majority of those with severe to profound deafness have a degeneration or malfunction of thousands of delicate hair cells in the cochlea (inner ear) due to illness, injury or hereditary factors. Damaged or malfunctioning sensory cells prevent electrical impulses from reaching the hearing nerve and sending them along to the brain where they are interpreted as sound.
The Audiology and Cochlear Implant Center at University Hospitals Ear, Nose & Throat Institute offers bilateral cochlear implants for both adults and children suffering from severe hearing impairment. To read more about the advantages of bilateral cochlear implants, please read our brochure (PDF).
Adult Program
Candidates usually include the post-lingually deaf adult population, however, more and more pre-lingual deaf teens and adults are choosing implants to improve lip reading and oral communication skills. The adult program provides:
- Comprehensive audio evaluation
- Consultation/choice of cochlear implant
- Aural rehabilitation to regain good articulation
- Evaluation of assistive device
- Ongoing support services for implant recipients and families
- Videotapes and educational literature
Patient and family members, particularly spouses, are part of the cochlear implant team, and family support is invaluable.
Pediatric Program
UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital, consistently ranked one of the best children's hospitals in the Midwest, has an extensive pediatric cochlear implant program where parents can be sure that their child is receiving the best possible care and the most advanced treatment. The pediatric program includes:
- Comprehensive evaluation
- Comprehensive training prior to implanting
- Consultation/choice of cochlear implant
- Individual aural habilitation
- Educational and family support services
- Surgical collaboration with neurotologic and pediatric otolaryngologic support