Overview
Cleveland Clinic's Hearing Implant Program (HIP) is committed to providing high quality, team-centered, patient-focused hearing care for adults and children with hearing loss. The Hearing Implant Program Team consists of specialists from a variety of disciplines, including audiology, neurotology, otolaryngology, and speech language pathology, who specialize in the assessment, treatment, and (re)habilitation of cochlear implant and bone-anchored hearing implant recipients. The HIP team is dedicated to the long-term support of our implant recipients: from candidacy evaluation through surgery, initial device fitting and programming, (re)habilitation, and long-term management. Cleveland Clinic HIP team members offer comprehensive clinical services and are also involved in various areas of implant research.
The HIP team works closely with patients and their families to guide them toward the best course of treatment based on their personal and family goals. We look forward to answering your questions to determine if you or your family member is a candidate for a hearing implant(s).
Audiology Externship Experience
Learn more about Cleveland Clinic's one-year Audiology Externship for students enrolled in accredited Audiology programs.
HIP Team
Members of the HIP Team
Marc Bassim, MD - Medical Director, Hearing Implant Program
Sarah Sydlowski, AuD, PhD,MBA - Audiology Director, Hearing Implant Program
Physician Surgeons
- Ksenia Aaron, MD (pediatrics and adults)
- Samantha Anne, MD (pediatrics)
- Edward Doyle, MD (adults)
- Ahn Nguyen-Huynh, MD (pediatrics and adults)
Implant Audiologists
- Sarah Sydlowski, AuD, PhD, MBA (cochlear, auditory brainstem, and bone-anchored implants)
- Alex Belinsky, AuD (cochlear implants)
- Regan Everiss Weaver, AuD (pediatrics and adults)
- Katie Hahn, AuD, CCC-A (cochlear implants)
- Carmen Jamis, AuD, CCC-A (pediatric cochlear and bone-anchored implants)
- Tina Marks, AuD, CCC-A (cochlear implants)
- Karen Petter, AuD, CCC-A (cochlear implants and auditory therapy)
- Carrie Putka, AuD, CCC-A (pediatrics)
- Rachel Vovos, AuD, CCC-A (cochlear implants and auditory therapy)
- Lisa Martinez, AuD, CCC-A (pediatrics and adults)
Aural Rehabilitation and Auditory Verbal Therapy
Our Services
What other hearing implant-related services are available at Cleveland Clinic?
Auditory-Based Therapy
Auditory-verbal therapy and auditory-based therapy include teaching and listening for the development of spoken language.
Adult Individual Cochlear Implant Therapy
Sessions may be scheduled following cochlear implant activation to address auditory and communication strategies and other topics of interest to cochlear implant recipients.
Pediatric Hearing Management Team
Interdisciplinary, comprehensive, family-centered approach to the evaluation and management of children with hearing loss. Includes specialists in audiology, pediatric otolaryngology, speech-language pathology, and genetics. Learn more about the Pediatric Hearing Management Team.
Cochlear Implant
A cochlear implant is a device that may restore some hearing for people with substantial sensorineural hearing loss. This is a type of hearing loss caused by problems in the inner ear. During surgery, the device is implanted or placed in the inner ear. Research indicates that cochlear implantation gives patients with severe to profound hearing loss access to sounds and speech (Firszt, et al., 2004; Geers, Nicholas, & Seedy, 2004). Also, the method has been found to improve quality of life. (Hawthorne et al., 2004).
A cochlear implant is made up of internal and external parts. The receiver/stimulator is implanted in the temporal bone behind the ear, and the electrode array is placed in the cochlea of the inner ear. The device also includes the speech/sound processor, which is worn behind the ear. The sound processor converts speech and sounds into electrical energy. The implant directly stimulates the hearing nerve.
How can you find out if you or your child is a candidate for cochlear implants?
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The process calls for many appointments and thorough testing by different types of specialists. You may be required to take any or all of the following steps:
- Comprehensive audiologic diagnostic testing—These tests assess hearing loss and help to choose the best follow-up services and/or technology.
- Audiological cochlear implant evaluation—Your current hearing aids will be checked to see how well they work and how well they allow you to function.
- MRI and/or CT scan—These tests show the internal structures of the inner ear.
- Medical and surgical consultations: The surgeon will meet with you before surgery to discuss instruction, the procedure, and what to expect after surgery in terms of healing and possible hearing outcomes.
- Communication evaluation: Auditory, speech, and language skills and are evaluated.
- Balance assessment: Testing is done to evaluate the vestibular (balance) system. The system is closely linked to the structures involved in hearing.
- Psychology consultation: Goals, motivation, and family support are evaluated. Outcomes are discussed.
- Insurance consultation: Individual coverage is considered. The financial impact of the procedure is discussed.
- Implant consultations: This series of meetings relates to choosing and becoming comfortable with the device. The meetings also review device programming, troubleshooting, and keeping track of progress.
- Adults with bilateral (both ears) moderate-to-profound sensorineural hearing loss.
- Children ages 2 to 18 years with bilateral severe-to-profound sensorineural hearing loss.
- Children younger than age 2 years with bilateral profound sensorineural hearing loss.
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Cochlear implants may be suggested when hearing aids no longer allow the wearer to understand speech well. Audiologic assessment includes testing both with and without hearing aids. This will show the degree of benefit that a patient’s hearing aids are currently providing. There must be no medical or radiological contraindications. Other factors include motivation to participate fully in the (re)habilitation process, family support, and a clear understanding of the limitations of cochlear implants.
In general, cochlear implants are appropriate for:
What are the outcomes and benefits of cochlear implantation?
Both adults and children can benefit from cochlear implants. The age of patients who have received these implants ranges from 8 months to over 90 years. However, cochlear implants do not restore normal hearing function. Performance varies based on a multitude of factors, including:
- Duration of hearing loss.
- Consistent use of amplification prior to cochlear implantation.
- Cause of hearing loss.
- Age of hearing loss onset.
Success with a cochlear implant cannot be predicted. However, the following factors tend to suggest the likelihood of a good outcome:
- Pre-implantation hearing system status
- Exposure to sound (and especially speech) before loss of hearing.
- Shorter duration of hearing loss.
- Consistent use of amplification prior to implantation.
- High number of functioning hearing nerve fibers.
- Lack of anatomical complications.
- Consistent use of the cochlear implant.
- Daily use during all waking hours.
- Attending scheduled appointments.
- Participating in auditory therapy.
- Consistently developing and implementing strategies for listening and speaking (pediatrics).
- Educational placement that emphasizes auditory skill and spoken language development.
- Realistic goals and sincere desire to be part of the (re)habilitation process.
How is a cochlear implant different from a hearing aid?
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A cochlear implant is very different from a hearing aid and is appropriate for individuals for whom hearing aids fail to provide benefit. A hearing aid makes sounds louder. Sound still travels through all the portions of the ear (outer ear, middle ear, inner ear) to the hearing nerve. A cochlear implant bypasses these structures and directly stimulates the hearing nerve with electrical energy. Because hearing aids amplify sounds and rely on the hearing system to convey the message, people with severe to profound hearing loss may be able to hear, but not understand speech well. The main objective of a cochlear implant is to improve speech understanding in quiet. Clarity with a cochlear implant is usually better than a hearing aid because the implant does not make sounds louder but delivers them to the hearing nerve.
What can I expect with a cochlear implant?
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Nearly all people who get cochlear implants can detect sound, including speech, at comfortable levels. Most people can pick out everyday sounds such as car horns, doorbells, and birds singing. The majority of people with implants develop the ability to recognize and understand speech in quiet environments without visual cues. Some can use the telephone, appreciate music, and converse successfully. The best results are seen in patients who have had some language skills or who receive a cochlear implant shortly after losing their hearing. Some listening environments, such as those involving background noise or those without visual cues, such as talking on the telephone, are particularly hard. Auditory therapy and cochlear implant reprogramming may improve performance. However, success in these challenging environments varies greatly among recipients.
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The cochlear implant surgical procedure often can be performed as an outpatient surgery. In the time after surgery, an expert rehabilitation team works closely with each patient. Follow-up appointments will test sound detection and speech perception in quiet and in noise. This will allow the team to find out how well the implant is working and to create programming tips. Learning how to use new sound information requires time, experience, and practice.
Bone-Anchored Implant
What is a bone-anchored auditory implant?
A bone-anchored auditory implant is a surgically implanted prosthetic device that may partially restore hearing for individuals with conductive hearing loss, mixed hearing loss, or single-sided deafness. A bone-anchored auditory implant includes a titanium abutment, which is implanted in the bone behind the ear, and a sound processor, which is attached to the abutment and transmits sounds to the inner ear and hearing nerve using bone conduction.
How is candidacy for a bone anchored auditory implant determined?
Evaluation involves multiple appointments and thorough assessment by specialists in a variety of disciplines.
Required evaluations may include the following:
- Comprehensive audiologic diagnostic testing
Testing is performed to accurately assess hearing loss and to discuss the most appropriate follow-up services and/or technology. - Bone-anchored auditory implant evaluation
Your hearing device options will be discussed and you will have the opportunity to trial a demo device in the office. - CT scan
- Medical/surgical consultations
The surgeon will meet with you to determine your medical/surgical candidacy, discuss instruction, the procedure itself, and what to expect after surgery related to healing and possible hearing outcomes. - Communication evaluation
Auditory, speech, and language skills and are evaluated. - Insurance consultation
Individual coverage is considered and financial impact of cochlear implantation is discussed.
In general, bone-anchored auditory implants are appropriate for adults and children with conductive or mixed hearing loss in one or both ears, or single-sided deafness (SSD). Absence of medical and radiological contraindications is required. In addition, motivation to participate fully in the (re)habilitation process, family support, and a clear understanding of the benefits of bone-anchored auditory implants are critical factors in determining candidacy. Other options for these types of hearing loss may include traditional amplification or CROS/BICROS hearing aids. Appropriate options for your hearing loss will be discussed during your evaluation. Children who are too young for surgical placement, current guidelines indicated under 5 years of age, of the device may qualify to use the hearing device on a soft headband; your hearing health professionals will discuss whether this option may be appropriate for your child.
How is a bone-anchored auditory implant different from a traditional hearing aid?
A traditional hearing aid sends sound signals through the hearing system by a method called air conduction. In cases of conductive or mixed hearing loss, or single-sided deafness, this method may not provide adequate amplification. A bone-anchored implant uses a transmission method called bone conduction to transmit sound signals using sound vibrations to the hearing organ.
Medical Professionals
Cleveland Clinic’s Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery is committed to working with you to provide the best care for your patients. Our team is also dedicated to the training and education of medical professionals to advance cancer care and research.
- View our Medical Professionals resources.
Make a Referral
Cleveland Clinic welcomes the opportunity to partner with you in caring for your patients. Our dedicated Referring Physician team is available around-the-clock and committed to serving you and your patients.
To refer a patient to a Cleveland Clinic location in Ohio, please print and fill out our referral form and fax to 216.448.9737 (Attention: Referring Physician Hotline). You can also refer a patient by phone using our Referring Physician Hotline at 855.REFER.123 (855.733.3712).
Head and Neck Innovations Podcast
A Cleveland Clinic podcast for medical professionals exploring the latest innovations, discoveries, and surgical advances in Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery. Listen to Head and Neck Innovations.
- Listen Up: Cochlear Implant Candidacy and Our Hearing Implant Program
- Now Hear This: Updates on Hearing Health Perceptions, Cochlear Implant Candidacy, and Cleveland Clinic's Hearing Implant Program.
- Audiology Updates: Featured Hearing Loss Research
Consult QD | Otolaryngology & Dentistry
Our otolaryngology website for physicians and healthcare professionals. Discover emerging advances, innovations and research insights from Cleveland Clinic Head & Neck specialists. Explore Consult QD.
Appointments & Locations
Make an Appointment
To make an appointment with one of our Hearing Implant Program specialists, please call 216.444.8500.
Virtual Visits
Cleveland Clinic’s Head & Neck Institute offers virtual visit appointments for many of the conditions we treat, allowing you to meet with a specialist from the comfort of your home, using a mobile device, tablet, computer or web-enabled device.
Why go virtual? It's an easy, convenient and secure way to see your provider face-to-face without having to leave home. This saves you travel time and time spent in the waiting room — and you can also have a loved one or caregiver join you. If appropriate, you can also get a prescription sent to the pharmacy of your choice.
Many insurance companies cover the cost of virtual visits, so check with your insurance company ahead of time. Interested in getting started? Call your provider to find out what virtual visit options are available.
Virtual Second Opinions
When you would like a second opinion before making a decision about your medical care, Cleveland Clinic’s Virtual Second Opinions can help. It’s easy to get answers to your questions and the peace of mind you deserve from a Cleveland Clinic provider — all without leaving home.
