LM107 - Adult Perceptions of Cochlear Implants: Helping Patients Understand Benefits and Address Their Fears

Wednesday, March 30, 2022

3:00 PM – 4:00 PM CT

Location: 124

Earn 0.1 CEUs

Lead Presenter(s)

DS

Donna Sorkin, MA

Executive Director
American Cochlear Implant Alliance
McLean, Virginia

Disclosure: Financial Disclosures: I do not have any relevant financial relationships with anything to disclose.
Non-Financial Disclosures: I do not have any relevant non-financial relationships with anything to disclose.

PDF Slides

Presenter(s)

Meredith A. Holcomb, AuD

Associate Professor; Director, Hearing Implant Program
University of Miami
Miami, Florida

Disclosure: Financial Disclosures: Advanced Bionics- Consultant/Advisory Board; Cochlear Corporation- Consultant/Advisory Board, Research Grant includes principal investigator, collaborator or consultant and pending grants as well as grants already received); Hermideina- Consultant/Advisory Board; ICIT- Speaker/Honoraria includes speakers bureau, symposia, and expert witness); Med El- Consultant/Advisory Board, Research Grant includes principal investigator, collaborator or consultant and pending grants as well as grants already received
Non-Financial Disclosures: American Cochlear Implant Alliance, ASHA

Abstract: Utilization of cochlear implants (CI) is estimated at less than 10% of eligible US adults. Low adult CI use by those who would benefit is primarily attributed to a lack of adult screening and inconsistent referrals. However, a recent survey by ACI Alliance found that misperceptions contribute to reluctance by some patients who could benefit to move forward. This session will address typical adult concerns about cochlear implantation using the format of a discussion between a reluctant adult patient and her audiologist. Topics will include loss of residual hearing, outcomes, surgical risk, insurance, and future options such as drug therapy.

Learning Objectives:

Discuss typical loss of residual hearing from the surgery in the context of whether the patient typically gains more than (s)he loses.
Review risks associated with cochlear implant surgery.
Explain health insurance coverage for cochlear implantation vis a vis hearing aids.