Cochlear Implants A service of the Head & Neck Institute s Hearing Implant Program
Available Services A range of services are performed leading up to implantation, including various diagnostic tests, consultations and evaluations. It all begins with an initial cochlear implant evaluation appointment and includes the following: Comprehensive Audiologic Diagnostic Testing Testing is performed to accurately assess hearing loss and to choose the most appropriate follow-up services and/or technology. Communication Evaluation Assessment of auditory, speech and language skills and abilities is conducted. Cochlear Implant Specialist Consultation Consultation includes the following services before and after receiving your cochlear implant: device orientation/ selection, programming, troubleshooting and monitoring of progress. The Hearing Implant Program (HIP) at the Cleveland Clinic Head & Neck Institute provides world-class care in helping patients who have significant hearing impairment utilize spoken language, thus allowing them access to a full range of educational, social and vocational life experiences. Our HIP team works closely with patients and their families to guide them toward the best course of treatment. We look forward to answering your questions to determine if you or your family member is a candidate for cochlear implantation. Surgeon Consultation The surgeon will meet with you prior to surgery to discuss instructions, the procedure itself, and what to expect after surgery related to healing and possible hearing outcomes.
Additional Offerings Auditory-Based Therapy Auditory-verbal therapy and auditory-based therapy include teaching and listening for the development of spoken language. Adult Individual and Small-Group Cochlear Implant Therapy Sessions can be scheduled following cochlear implant activation to address a variety of auditory and communication strategies, speechreading, and other topics of interest to cochlear implant recipients. School Observation/Consultation Assessment of school acoustics and educational accommodations may be conducted. On-site assistance with cochlear implant orientation and troubleshooting is also offered.
Benefits to Patients of All Ages Both adults and children can benefit from cochlear implants. The age of patients who have received these implants ranges from 8 months to over age 90. All patients who have received a cochlear implant can detect sound, including speech, at comfortable levels. Most can distinguish everyday sounds such as car horns, doorbells, and birds singing. Some can use the telephone, appreciate music and converse successfully. The best results are seen in patients who have had some language skills and who receive a cochlear implant shortly after losing their hearing. There is no better feeling than witnessing the excitement of a patient going from no hearing to being able to hear and knowing the tremendous impact that it has on their lives. - Peter Weber, MD
A Team Approach to Care The surgical procedure often can be performed as an outpatient surgery, a procedure in which the patient does not need an overnight hospital stay. Following surgery, an expert rehabilitation team, including an audiologist and speechlanguage pathologist, works closely with each patient. Learning how to use new sound information requires time and experience. Our team of hearing experts, along with appropriate educational programs, is especially important for children who have a cochlear implant. My colleagues on the Hearing Implant Program team work together to promote access to sound and listening for our patients. In so doing, we can help train this newfound hearing for most impressive outcomes. - Donald Goldberg, PhD
Experienced Staff Our hearing experts are dedicated to exceptional care for our patients. Donald Goldberg, PhD Co-Director, Hearing Implant Program Clinical Interests: audiologic (aural) management/treatment; cochlear implants; auditory-verbal therapy; pediatric and educational audiology; communication assessment of children and adults who are deaf or hard of hearing Making an Appointment Call 216.445.7468 to make an appointment with any of our experts in the Hearing Implant Program. To learn more about Cleveland Clinic s hearing implant offerings, please call 216.445.8519 or visit clevelandclinic.org/headandneck. Peter Weber, MD Co-Director, Hearing Implant Program Clinical Interests: surgery for pediatric and adult ear disease including cochlear implants; implantable hearing aids; infectious cholesteatomas; acoustic neuromas; ear tumors; skull bone lesions; facial nerve disorders and vertigo
Cleveland Clinic Head & Neck Institute 9500 Euclid Avenue Desk A71 Cleveland, OH 44195 To make an appointment: 216.445.7468 For information: 216.445.8519