Test Your Knowledge on Cochlear Implant Candidacy and Evaluation

Cochlear Implant Candidacy and Evaluation: Key Considerations and Processes

• A comprehensive audiologic evaluation, hearing aid verification, aided speech perception testing, otologic exam, imaging, psychology consult, and vestibular assessment are important components of cochlear implant candidacy assessment.
• A pediatric cochlear implant candidacy assessment battery includes additional tests such as ABR, OAEs, and age-appropriate speech-language assessments.
• The candidacy assessment considers factors such as the listening configuration, duration of deafness, etiology of hearing loss, device location, neural survival, age, and comorbid conditions to predict post-operative speech perception benefit.
• The absence of IAC or cochlea, neurofibromatosis II with bilateral acoustic neuromas, adult patients with pre-lingual deafness, and extremely long duration of deafness are absolute contraindications for cochlear implantation.
• The FDA requires clinical trials for new internal cochlear implant devices, with manufacturers specifying the population to be studied, and select clinics participating in the trials.
• Cochlear implant candidacy guidelines for adults and children have specific criteria for hearing loss severity and word recognition scores.
• Single-sided deafness and asymmetric sensorineural hearing loss were added as indications for cochlear implant candidacy in 2019.
• Calibration of sound field testing is crucial to ensure accurate presentation of speech materials during candidacy testing.
• Meningitis is a double-edged sword, as early intervention is crucial, while untreated meningitis can cause additional complications or damage to the cochlea.
• The referral for cochlear implant candidacy assessment can result in a decision not to implant, with greater benefit from revised hearing aid fitting, general or mental health exclusions, or medical contraindications being some reasons.
• Early implantation, good pre-operative hearing aid use, family involvement, and spoken language communication are factors that lead to improved outcomes in pediatric cochlear implantation.
• Probe microphone measures are used to ensure prescriptive targets are met with current aids, and if under-amplified, a loaner aid is fitted for a 3-month trial with an appropriately fitted hearing aid.

Cochlear Implant Candidacy and Evaluation: Key Considerations and Processes

• A comprehensive audiologic evaluation, hearing aid verification, aided speech perception testing, otologic exam, imaging, psychology consult, and vestibular assessment are important components of cochlear implant candidacy assessment.
• A pediatric cochlear implant candidacy assessment battery includes additional tests such as ABR, OAEs, and age-appropriate speech-language assessments.
• The candidacy assessment considers factors such as the listening configuration, duration of deafness, etiology of hearing loss, device location, neural survival, age, and comorbid conditions to predict post-operative speech perception benefit.
• The absence of IAC or cochlea, neurofibromatosis II with bilateral acoustic neuromas, adult patients with pre-lingual deafness, and extremely long duration of deafness are absolute contraindications for cochlear implantation.
• The FDA requires clinical trials for new internal cochlear implant devices, with manufacturers specifying the population to be studied, and select clinics participating in the trials.
• Cochlear implant candidacy guidelines for adults and children have specific criteria for hearing loss severity and word recognition scores.
• Single-sided deafness and asymmetric sensorineural hearing loss were added as indications for cochlear implant candidacy in 2019.
• Calibration of sound field testing is crucial to ensure accurate presentation of speech materials during candidacy testing.
• Meningitis is a double-edged sword, as early intervention is crucial, while untreated meningitis can cause additional complications or damage to the cochlea.
• The referral for cochlear implant candidacy assessment can result in a decision not to implant, with greater benefit from revised hearing aid fitting, general or mental health exclusions, or medical contraindications being some reasons.
• Early implantation, good pre-operative hearing aid use, family involvement, and spoken language communication are factors that lead to improved outcomes in pediatric cochlear implantation.
• Probe microphone measures are used to ensure prescriptive targets are met with current aids, and if under-amplified, a loaner aid is fitted for a 3-month trial with an appropriately fitted hearing aid.