Dr. Casserly performs cochlear implant surgery which places a device that can be used to improve hearing in people with an advanced form of common hearing loss known as sensorineural hearing loss. This is when sound cannot be properly transmitted from the inner ear to the hearing portion of the brain. In this way, the cochlear implant helps to translate the sound signals into information your brain can process. Cochlear implants are typically used for people who do not benefit from hearing aids or other assistive listening devices because of the severity of their hearing loss.
Unlike hearing aids, which increase the volume of sound and deliver it to the ear drum, cochlear implants bypass the area of the middle and inner ear that is no longer functioning correctly, and directly stimulate the neural structures of the inner ear. To achieve this, cochlear implants require an outpatient surgical procedure performed by Dr. Casserly. The cochlear implant device has two components: an internal device that is implanted surgically, and an external device that is worn like a hearing aid. This external device picks up sound from the environment and delivers it to the internal device through a magnetic connection.
There are three companies that manufacture cochlear implants and Dr. Casserly is comfortable with all three. This allows the patient to choose his or her preferred device.
Cochlear Implant Candidacy
Cochlear implants can be used on infants, children, and adults with advanced sensorineural hearing loss including those who have difficulty with word clarity. Patients with preserved hearing at lower frequencies have been found to benefit from implants as well. There is no maximum age limit; recently, even people in their 90s have successfully received cochlear implants. While most candidates have hearing loss in both ears, cochlear implants have recently been approved for single-sided deafness.
How Do I Know If I’m Eligible for a Cochlear Implant?
To see if you are eligible for a cochlear implant, you should have a hearing test to evaluate your current hearing level. This can be done at Dr. Casserly’s office. Next, Dr. Casserly will examine your ear’s anatomy and review your hearing test. This may also include a CT scan to ensure that the device can be safely implanted. Once this is cleared, you will be meet with the implant audiologist to have a specialized, cochlear implant hearing evaluation. This will include a more in-depth evaluation of your ability to hear in noise and understand speech while using your hearing aids. In this way, Dr. Casserly can measure your best possible hearing with conventional hearing aids and how this may still not be sufficient for daily communication and speech understanding. Cochlear implants are continually improving and can help many types of hearing loss.
The Surgical Procedure
The procedure is typically a same-day surgery in which Dr. Casserly places an electrode within the cochlea to directly stimulating the hearing nerve. A small incision is made behind the ear in order to place the electrode and the receiver. This portion of the implant remains under the skin and is not visible after the surgery. Dr. Casserly will follow up with you in one week for an incision check. Most patients have minimal pain and can return to normal activity in several days.
In order to allow the incision to heal without pressure from the external device, you will not be able to use the implant immediately following the procedure. The implant activation will be schedule approximately three to four weeks after the surgery depending on your age and healing. Once the device is activated by the audiologist, the device customization begins to optimize the device’s programming and your hearing response.
Why Are Vaccinations Important for Cochlear Implant Users?
Individuals who have a cochlear implant may be at increased risk for bacterial meningitis. Although this risk is small, Dr. Casserly requires all children and adults to be vaccinated prior to their surgery. This helps to protect against the type of bacteria that may cause many meningitis cases, Steptococcus pneumoniae. Additional vaccines are available against other potential causes of meningitis, including Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) and Meningococcus. These vaccines are widely available and strengthen the body’s defenses against infection. Many implant candidates have already received these vaccines as part of their routine care and can be confirmed with your primary care physician.
