The next steps in treatment for
severe to profound hearing loss
Learn more about implant technology
Today’s hearing technology and innovations offer new opportunities for patients affected by hearing loss. Cochlear implants are an increasingly common option for patients who seek improvement beyond what can be achieved through hearing aids.
Implants vs. Hearing Aids
These tiny, complex medical devices (CIs) work differently than hearing aids. Rather than amplifying sound, which helps an individual with residual hearing ability, a cochlear implant provides the sense of sound by stimulating the auditory nerve directly. Cochlear implants do not cure hearing loss, but they do provide an opportunity for the severely hard of hearing or deaf to perceive the sensation of sound by bypassing the damaged inner ear.
How Cochlear Implants Work.
The treatment spectrum for hearing loss
Low
Communication difficulty
High Quality PSAPs
Benefits Can Include:
- Improved Audibility in Quiet
- Improved Speech Understanding in Quiet
- Limited Improvement in Noise
Low/Moderate
Communication difficulty
Hearing Aids
Benefits Can Include:
- Improved Ability in Noise
- Improved Comfort in Noise
- Improved Speech Understanding in Noise
- Localizing of Sounds
- Telephone Use
- Listening to Music
Low/Moderate
Communication difficulty
Hearing Systems
Benefits Can Include:
- ALL THE BENEFITS OF HEARING AIDS PLUS
- Streaming TV Audio
- Streaming Directly from Phone
- Remote Companion Microphone
- Remote Adjustments and Programming
Moderate/High
Communication difficulty
Cochlear Implants
Benefits Can Include:
- ALL THE BENEFITS OF HEARING SYSTEMS PLUS
- Direct Stimulation of the Inner Ear
- Optimized Speech Understanding in Quiet and Noise
- Maximized Results with a Cochlear Implant +Hearing Aid (Bimodal)
Better hearing with a bimodal solution
With bimodal hearing, the hearing aid and cochlear implant work as a team. For many, a cochlear implant in one ear and continued use of a hearing aid in the other can provide an enhanced hearing performance. For some people, cochlear implantation in both ears can be the best way to optimize hearing.
In a bimodal hearing solution, a hearing aid and a cochlear implant system work together to provide you with a richer and more natural hearing experience.
What can my patients expect?
Patients report higher satisfaction from a bimodal solution (cochlear implant + hearing aid) than from hearing aids alone
Bilateral Hearing Aids
Smart Bimodal
Hearing Performance
Satisfied or very satisfied
9%
Bilateral Hearing Aids
95%
Smart Bimodal
Ability to understand what is heard on TV
13%
Bilateral Hearing Aids
76%
Smart Bimodal
Ability to understand a conversation in a small group
8%
Bilateral Hearing Aids
79%
Smart Bimodal
Hearing performance in background noise
2%
Bilateral Hearing Aids
58%
Smart Bimodal
Ability to listen to and appreciate music
13%
Bilateral Hearing Aids
68%
Smart Bimodal
Ability to understand people on the phone
6%
Bilateral Hearing Aids
71%
Smart Bimodal
Technology & Treatment Resources
How to use the New Referral Feature in the Sycle Software
Many cochlear implant recipients could benefit from a bimodal hearing solution (a hearing aid + cochlear implant). If your patient is struggling to hear with their hearing aids and their word recognition score is 40% or less in either ear […]
New Video
Clinic Owners Share Stories of Increasing Referrals
Making a cochlear implant referral may seem like a net loss of a patient, but real-life results say otherwise. In this video, three board certified hearing instrument specialists — clinic owners Toby Hill, Dennis Thomas and Joe Bartlett — […]
60-60 Guideline Counseling Resource Helps Answer Patient Questions. Free digital and printed guide.
You may have seen the published study outlining when to refer a patient for a cochlear implant evaluation and followed the 60-60 guidelines. What happens next? When you recommend a patient be seen for a cochlear implant evaluation, there are […]
The Link Between Hearing Loss & Other Conditions
Over the last couple of months, we shared with you consumers’ understanding of hearing loss and what can be considered normal hearing. And, as hearing care professionals, the goal of educating your patients on the risks of leaving hearing loss […]
Hearing Health Collaborative: Understanding Hearing Loss
Can your patients tell you what “normal hearing” is? Most likely they know what normal vision and blood pressure are, as that’s ingrained in us at such a young age. It’s no wonder that patients deprioritize managing their hearing health when […]
Hearing Health Collaborative: Prioritizing & Managing Hearing Health
In April, we shared with you consumers’ understanding of hearing loss and what can be considered normal hearing. Beyond their understanding of hearing loss, respondents were surveyed about where they prioritize health conditions and life activities, and how they manage […]
Patient-Focused Care: When it’s time to begin discussing CI with your patient.
We recently sat down with Dr. Ken Martin, Au.D., of Ken Martin Audiology, to learn how using the CI feature in Sycle enables him to counsel his patients for their best possible hearing. Our Continuum of Care interview, ‘Patient-Focused Care: […]
60-60 Cochlear Implant Referral Criteria for Adults
Dr. Terry Zwolan, former Director of The University of Michigan Cochlear Implant Program and current Director of Audiology at Hearing First, recently published a study that evaluated when to refer patients for a cochlear implant evaluation. We wanted to understand […]
Expanding Your Services to Meet the Growing Needs of Patients
Dr. Joanie Davis, F-AAA, CCC-A, Board Certified Doctor of Audiology and owner of Davis Family Hearing, had a big dilemma on her hands – was there anything else she could do to help patients struggling with hearing aids? That’s when […]
Cochlear Provider Network Professional Testimonial: Joanie Davis (Part 4)
Implementing CI services into your practice can bring about many benefits to the clinic. Practice Differentiation, continued learning, additional referrals, being a part of a medical model are among a few. In the final video of our 4-part series, Joanie […]