Cochlear Implants

Cochlear Implant Candidacy

I have helped start Cochlear Implant surgeries in few centres across the country.
Was surprised that in spite of so many materials available online many patients were not aware of the candidacy process.
I have seen patients who have not had hearing aids at all or have not been tried on hearing aids getting an implant and not using it/benefitting from it
I have written an article to an International Publication about the Challenges in Starting a Program in India

Cochlear Implant Candidacy Criteria?

It is generally agreed that the best adult candidates are those who:

• Have severe to profound hearing loss in both ears
• Have had limited benefit from hearing aids
• Have no other medical problems that would make the surgery risky
• Have a strong desire to be part of the hearing world and communicate through listening, speaking, and speech reading
• Have lost their hearing after speech and language development

It is generally agreed that the best child candidates are those who:

• Have profound hearing loss in both ears
• Have had limited benefit from hearing aids
• Are healthy and have no medical conditions that would make the surgery risky
• Are involved (when able), along with their parents, in all the steps in the process
• Understand (when able), along with their parents, their role in the successful use of cochlear implants
• Have (when able), along with their parents, realistic expectations for cochlear implant use
• Are willing to be actively involved in their habilitation/rehabilitation
• Have support from their educational program to emphasize the development of auditory skills