Cochlear Implants in Private Practice…My Practice?

By Dan Quall

This article is a part of the July/August 2020, Volume 32, Number 4, Audiology Today issue.

The world of cochlear implants (CIs) is evolving. What was once a treatment pathway for a limited population of patients with profound hearing impairment has expanded to include individuals with moderate to severe hearing loss. CI technology, which began as basic sound processing through an electrode array, has grown to include Bluetooth streaming and cell phone connectivity.

Above all, through the years, outcomes, as reported by patients, continue to improve. Now another aspect of this industry is changing—access—getting the right patient to the right provider, at the right place and in the appropriate time frame.

The change in the CI industry is being driven by a number of factors, with the most urgent being poor use of this treatment pathway. Of the adults with severe to profound hearing loss, less than eight percent have been implanted and only 11 percent of audiologists specialize in CIs (Taylor, 2018).

Unlike 30 years ago when CIs were first approved for clinical use, the process of identifying and programming patient care has become much more streamlined. What once was a process defined by research protocols in limited geographic locations has moved to treatment protocols that drive quality outcomes and clinical efficiency in local communities.

CI manufacturers now have dedicated networks and countless resources for private practice audiologists who have integrated CIs and other implantable hearing solutions into their technology portfolio. Is adding these services right for your practice?