When should I consider a Cochlear Implant?
Hearing loss can be a gradual progressive problem resulting in loss of contact with those you love, the activities you enjoy and the background sounds that keep you in touch with your surroundings. What is your reason for better hearing?
Hearing aids, in many cases may initially, provide just the right amount of benefit to overcome the isolation of untreated hearing loss. However, if hearing loss progresses and your hearing aids no longer provide the benefit you desire, it may be time to consider a Cochlear Implant.
If your hearing aids are not providing the clarity you had hoped for, and you may still struggle to understand in situations with many speakers and background noise, it may be possible to fulfill your desire for better hearing using a hearing implant.
Ask Yourself These Questions:
- Do you have to ask people to repeat themselves in one-on-one conversations, even in a quiet room?
- Do you depend on lip-reading to understand a conversation?
- Do you avoid social activities because you do not know what is being said and are afraid you may respond incorrectly?
- Are you exhausted at the end of the day because communication requires such a high degree of concentration?
- Are you having a hard time keeping up at work?
- Is it hard for you to talk on the phone and do you avoid answering the phone?
- Are you generally dissatisfied with your hearing aids?
If you are experiencing a severe hearing loss and the amount of benefit you are receiving from your hearing aids is limited, we want to reach out to you to start a conversation about hearing implants as your next step for better hearing.
What is the procedure to find out if I can benefit from a Cochlear Implant?
Audicare Hearing Centers is a member of the Cochlear Provider Network working with Cochlear Americas. We perform the cochlear candidacy implant evaluations in both our Traverse City and Gaylord offices. With a referral from your physician, insurances cover most of the cost of this evaluation and if you qualify, we can assist you on your next step.
During this evaluation, we measure the type and extent of your hearing loss, complete a thorough interview of your hearing history and experiences, and evaluate your middle ear function and your ability to understand speech in each ear.
In addition, we will evaluate your current hearing aids to assure they are functioning well and assess your benefit for speech while wearing the right, the left and then both hearing aids.
We can immediately know if your hearing loss qualifies you to move forward with the cochlear implant process. When you are ready to proceed, we can refer you to an otolaryngologist specializing in the implant procedure. He will review the surgical process with you, answer your questions about the surgical experience, and help you decide if this next step is right for you.
If you like, we can put you in touch with others, who have received a cochlear implant and are willing to share their experience with you. If you decide to proceed, we will help you choose the right processor, style, and the accessories that best suit your needs.
The cochlear implant surgery is usually a short outpatient procedure, and within days you can be back to your daily activities. In one or two weeks, a local otolaryngologist will remove the stitches. Two to three weeks after that, you will return to Audicare to begin the activation process.
This is your first step on the pathway to better hearing.
The adjustment to the sound of the implant is a gradual process. If it has been many years since you have heard clearly, you will need to learn to recognize speech and understand conversations once again. We will provide you with exercises to improve hearing clarity and monitor your progress. The evidence from clinical trials shows that, over time, most individuals significantly improve their understanding in quiet and in background noise. You can receive the support, training, and assistance to reach your goals locally, at Audicare Hearing Centers.
The decision to pursue a hearing implant could help you to reach your hearing goals for the first time in a long time. You may be able to participate in conversations as easily as you have wanted to participate, and you may reach the point that hearing loss is no longer holding you back from the life you desire.
Take the first step today. Schedule an appointment for a cochlear candidacy evaluation at Audicare. We can answer your questions, decide if this is an option for you, and help you on the first steps of a journey to the hearing you have always wanted. What is your reason for better hearing? This could be your opportunity to hear clearly again!
Why wait? Call (231) 668-9398 for appointments in Traverse City or (989) 966-1225 for appointments in Gaylord today!