$Unique_ID{BRK00947}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Is There an Operation Which Provides an Artificial Ear for the Deaf?}
$Subject{hear ear implant surgery special procedure procedures Sense senses
cochlear implants surgeries surgical operation operations nerve deaf deafness
sensorineural hearing aid}
$Volume{P-21}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Is There an Operation Which Provides an Artificial Ear for the Deaf?


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QUESTION:  We have been reading about a new development for the deaf in which
an operation provides an artificial ear, which allows them to hear.  Our son
is deaf and we were hoping this operation could offer him some hope.  Can you
provide us with any information about this development?

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ANSWER:  I will happily tell you what I have been able to find out.  I am
using the recent publication from the National Institute of Health, who
recently sponsored a consensus development conference on this subject.  You
are speaking of a cochlear implant, which have been in a development process
for the last 25 years, and still are the subject of a fair amount of
controversy as to their use.  As a result of this conference the following
guidelines seem to give us a clearer idea of when the operation should be
considered.  The best candidate is an adult, healthy male, who became deaf
after learning to speak.  Individuals who have been deaf from birth are
considered poor candidates.  The patient should be nerve deaf (sensorineural)
in both ears, with a loss of more than 60 decibels, even with a hearing aid,
score 0% on open-set speech recognition (word test), and failed to have
develop lipreading skills with a hearing aid.  Before considering an
operation, there should be a complete evaluation of hearing, and an extensive
trial with a properly fitted hearing aid.  If tests indicate that there is a
potential for benefit from a hearing aid, there should be a 30 day trial of
the hearing aid without obligation to purchase it.  Should this trial be
unsuccessful, then the patient should be referred to a cochlear implant center
for further review, if the other criteria are met.  Even with a cochlear
implant, the skills of lipreading are essential, and patients without
sufficient vision to lip-read may not be a candidate.  The implant centers
stress such training in their postoperative programs.  All this said and done,
you must now consider the cost, a whopping $20,000 not covered by Medicare,
and only covered by some supplemental or private insurance programs.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.