When Should Implantable Hearing Devices Come Up? Expanding your Talk Track

The Hearing Industry Association (HIA) has been looking at trends in the hearing industry since 1989 using MarkeTrak surveys to collect data on hearing loss and hearing aid usage factors. The latest survey, MarkeTrak 2022, was the first time the survey included data on cochlear implant use, personal sound amplification products (PSAPs) and the emerging over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids.

When participants were asked about their familiarity with cochlear implants, only 1 in 10 reported being very familiar, while 4 in 10 had never heard of them.

In the past cochlear implants have been considered the treatment of last resort and are often separated from traditional treatment options instead of being part of the continuum of care. Only 12.7% of those who could benefit from a CI have one and candidacy criteria is expanding.

Audiologists are foundational to a patient’s hearing loss experience in that they are typically the first person to diagnose the hearing loss. Introducing cochlear implants as part of the continuum of care is important so the patient has context for the future. You may be the only resource the patients has, and even if they are nowhere near ready for a CI they need to understand how treatment options might change if their hearing changes over time.

Audiologists who work with cochlear implant patients explain how overwhelming it can be for them to digest all of the new information. Having prior awareness and understanding helps make the process more comfortable for the patient.

It’s also important to understand where you are in the patient’s journey. You may refer a patient for a CI but continue to work with them on the other ear and become part of the larger care team working together for the best patient outcomes.

While it’s hard to stay on top of all the technology, it’s important to recognize what we recommend from a rehabilitative path for patients is changing and expanding.