Evaluation Process Prior to Cochlear Implantation
All children and their families being considered for a cochlear implant undergo a substantial preoperative evaluation by the Ear and Hearing Center's Cochlear Implant Program team at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. Initially, audiologic testing (hearing evaluations) need to be performed to determine if the child is a candidate for cochlear implantation. Particularly in young children, hearing tests may need to be performed several times in order to obtain an accurate measure of their hearing levels.
Once a child is determined to be a cochlear implant candidate by audiologic criteria, evaluations are scheduled with the Ear and Hearing Clinic. This includes evaluation by:
A primary reason for this multidisciplinary evaluation is to determine if there are any factors relevant to rehabilitation after surgery or if there are any other needs that require resolution or addressing prior to considering implantation.
Medically, all candidates routinely undergo a comprehensive evaluation to determine if there are any readily treatable causes for the hearing loss, such as occult infection, hypothyroidism or metabolic abnormalities. Also included are imaging test(s), like a CT or MR scan of the inner ear region to study the cochlea and related structures.
Once the evaluations are complete, all candidates are discussed at weekly Ear and Hearing Clinic Cochlear Implant Program team meetings and a consensus decision reached as to the candidacy of individual children. Once decided, the family is informed of the decision and invited in to discuss either the surgery and scheduling, or alternative recommendations and plans.
