A cochlear implant is a device that stimulates the auditory nerve by using electrodes placed in the cochlea of the inner ear. This device has both external and internal parts. The external part sits behind the ear and picks up sounds with a microphone. The sound is then transmitted to the internal elements of the implant.
How To Get Ready for Your Appointment To See if You Are a Candidate for a Cochlear Implant:
- Come up with notes, questions and concerns in the weeks before your appointment. Bring this list to your audiology appointment to ensure you get the answers you need and the results you want.
- Expect a comprehensive evaluation at your appointment that will include tone and speech understanding testing.
If You End up Getting a Cochlear Implant:
- Expect to be tested. The mapping process relies on your perception and comprehension abilities to provide the best results possible. Your adjustments will be made not only based on your hearing abilities but also on your speech audiometry testing results.
- Prepare to give it your all by coming to your audiologist’s office focused, hydrated, well fed and rested. Mapping is a very precise procedure that requires undivided attention from both you and your audiologist.
- Bring all your equipment, including accessories, the remote, your backup processor and anything else that might be relevant. Each of these pieces of equipment is important to the overall mapping process.
- Express your concerns. If certain sounds come across as distorted, loud, quiet or otherwise abnormal, don’t hesitate to speak up! Cochlear implants require hard work from patients and loved ones, but mapping appointments are the time to get as much right as possible.
I’m 65 with severe hearing loss. I’ve worked with four hearing aid business through the last 35 years. I surely would rate Ear Nose and Throat the best I’ve worked with. Well managed professional organization. My Audiologist, Jessica has gone above and beyond to put together the best hearing aids for my lifestyle. Jessica is a terrific audiologist and a pleasure to work with. I rate Ear Nose and Throat A+.
E.M. – Patient of St. Cloud ENT for 9 years.
Call St. Cloud Ear, Nose & Throat for more information or to schedule an appointment. (320) 252-0233