What Does the Evaluation Process Involve?

Audiological Evaluation

• Specialized hearing testing is performed to evaluate the degree of hearing loss and your ability to understand speech
• If you have hearing aids, your hearing aids are evaluated to assure they are the best fit for your hearing loss
• Further testing with your hearing aids are performed to see how the hearing aid(s) compare to the anticipated results from an implant
• If it is determined that the cochlear implant can provide better hearing for you than your hearing aids, you are deemed a candidate

Cochlear Implant Consultation

• Your medical evaluation starts with a consultation with our neurotologist, Dr. Djalilian
• A careful history will be obtained looking into the cause and duration of the hearing loss, ability and mode of communication
• Complete examination of the head and neck
• Consultation with an ophthalmologist or geneticist may be needed
• If the medical evaluation reveals that you are a candidate, imaging is performed

Imaging Studies

• A CT scan (3-dimensional x-ray) of your ear (temporal) bone is obtained)
• Sometimes an MRI (special imaging) of the hearing nerves is needed

Insurance Approval

• Obtaining insurance approval is sometimes the longest step in the process. Our expert re-imbursement specialists contact your insurance company for approval of the procedure.