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No matter what age you are, hearing loss can rid you of so many opportunities to connect with the world. Hearing aids can be a fantastic option for adults and children, but sometimes these devices are not enough.
CEENTA's specialized cochlear implant program brings expert care directly to your community, eliminating the need for long-distance travel to major medical centers. We provide complete services from initial evaluation and device programming to ongoing audiological support, ensuring optimal hearing outcomes for patients of all ages.
The CEENTA cochlear implant team has extensive training and experience in the implantation and programming of the hearing device to provide this critical service for patients who are suffering from hearing loss. This team has seen the procedure develop into a viable option for the hearing-impaired through technological advances in both the external and internal devices and are eager to discuss this procedure more with you.
Call 704-295-3000 to Schedule an Appointment with a Cochlear Implant Specialist
Cochlear implants are not just for adults, as CEENTA is proud to offer this life-changing service for pediatric patients with hearing loss. Ideal pediatric candidates are 9 months of age or older who have not obtained adequate hearing from hearing aids.
Similar to adult screening, pediatric patients will have their own screening process at CEENTA with the 60/65 guidelines. These patients will receive a single-syllable word recognition test, with a score of 60% or worse in either ear indicating candidacy.
A pure tone average (PTA) test will also be provided; unlike adult patients, pediatric candidacy will be based on a mid-to-high average of 65 decibels or poorer.
Pediatric patients may also receive an aided Speech Intelligibility Index (SII) test if they are currently using hearing aids. An audiologist will measure how well the current listening device is helping the patient and indicate an SII value. A value of 0.65 or lower indicates candidacy for pediatric patients.
Your child's audiology care does not have to stop after receiving a cochlear implant. To supplement their ongoing device programming, CEENTA offers auditory-verbal therapy for patients up to five years of age performed by Tegan DeMarcus, MS, CCC-SLP, at our SouthPark location. Through this distinct rehabilitation method, patients will develop listening and verbal communication skills through play-based sessions with their family members in a comfortable setting.
Learn more about auditory-verbal therapy sessions with Tegan DeMarcus, CCC-SLP, and schedule your child's AVT appointment at our SouthPark location today by calling 704-295-6237.
Learn More About Auditory-Verbal Therapy at CEENTA
A cochlear implant is an electronic device that restores hearing. They are often considered for adults and children who have moderate to profound hearing loss from inner-ear damage and receive no help from hearing aids. They may be placed in one or both ears.
There are currently three cochlear implant companies in the United States:
Cochlear implants and hearing aids both offer hearing restoration, but there are a few differences between the two to consider.
Hearing aids are a non-surgical option for moderate hearing loss, while cochlear implantation is a surgical procedure for patients with more severe hearing loss. As a result, candidacy will have to be determined by your audiologist and ENT physician.
These two treatments are also unique in how they restore hearing. Hearing aids amplify the sound and “turn the volume up”. By contrast, cochlear implants bypass the damaged part of the ear to stimulate the cochlea nerve, which helps patients to hear.
Cochlear implantation is suitable for patients with moderate-to-severe hearing loss in one or both ears who have not found sustained success with hearing aids. Ideal candidates must also not have any limiting factors for surgery such as inner ear abnormalities or intolerance to general anesthesia.
The 60/60 GuidelineThe baseline for adult candidacy is the 60/60 Guideline. During the screening process, an audiologist will read a list of single-syllable words for you to repeat back to them. A score of 60% or poorer indicates candidacy.
Your audiologist will also determine the severity of your hearing loss through a pure tone average (PTA) test. You will be given pure tone sounds at different frequencies through earphones and you will signal if you can hear each sound. A mid-to-high PTA average of 60 decibels or poorer will indicate candidacy.
Initial consultationPrior to surgery, it is recommended that all recipients receive vaccinations to protect against pneumococcal bacterial infections. Your doctor will discuss this with you during your consultation.
The cochlear implant surgeryThe patient is given general anesthesia to ensure that they are asleep during the surgery. After the first incision is made behind the ear and into the mastoid bone, an electrode is implanted in the cochlea. An internal processor is then inserted between the muscle and bone of the ear. This component magnetically connects to an external processor to transmit sound.
Finally, the incisions are closed, and the patient is discharged after being monitored after recovering from their anesthesia.
Recovery, activation, & follow-up programmingPatients will undergo a recovery period of approximately 2-3 weeks before the device is activated. Postop care for patients includes:
After the incision has healed, the external processor will be activated by an audiologist and programming can begin. The device will be programmed based on the patient’s specific needs. Follow-up appointments will be provided to ensure that the device is working properly and that the patient is adjusting to their new sounds.
Cochlear implant surgery is performed under general anesthesia. As a result, you will feel no pain during the procedure itself. You may experience mild to moderate pain around your ear for a few days during your recovery, but this will subside.
You will not be able to hear sounds immediately following your surgery until after you receive the external processor. Once your device is activated, you may begin to hear new sounds.
Results may vary, with some patients reporting improved hearing a month after activation.
Currently manufactured cochlear implant models are designed to be safe for MRI use under certain conditions. However, it is important to discuss your imaging options with your physician and inform your technologist of any implants you have prior to any scanning.
The internal implant is intended to last for a lifetime. Your external processor can last between 5-10 years.
Reconnecting with your favorite sounds is just a phone call away. Call CEENTA today to see if you or your child is a candidate for cochlear implantation.
