Managing Your Hearing Loss as an Esteem® Patient

What if your hearing loss progresses?

Can the Esteem implant stop the progression of my hearing loss?  

No. The Esteem implant is a treatment option for adults with moderate to severe sensorineural hearing loss and it cannot prevent further hearing loss. However, it can be re-programmed by your Esteem audiologist to adapt to your changing hearing needs over time. It is important to continue using hearing protection to minimize any additional damage to your hearing loss.

What if my hearing loss progresses?

Sensorineural hearing loss can worsen over time, so it is important to have your hearing monitored annually to determine if there is any progression. If your hearing loss has indeed worsened, your Esteem audiologist can modify the settings of your device to accommodate the additional loss. If your hearing loss has declined significantly, you may get to a point where the Esteem device can no longer provide the benefit you need.  It is recommended to consult with your surgeon/audiologist for further evaluation and to explore other treatment options such as a cochlear implant.

Can a patient have a cochlear implant after having an Esteem Implant?

In most cases, the Esteem procedure does not prevent patients from having a cochlear implant in the future.