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Candidacy Evaluation |
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A child with profound hearing loss in both ears may receive a cochlear implant at a year of age. If the hearing loss is severe (70-90 decibels) rather than profound (>90 decibels), then the child should be at least two years old and hearing aids must be tried long enough to determine whether the child can perceive speech with the aids. If an older child is able to hear well on the telephone using hearing aids, a cochlear implant might not provide more benefit.
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To find out if your child may be a candidate for a cochlear implant, call our program coordinator at 781.216.2250. When you call, you will be asked to fill out an intake questionnaire and to provide any relevant audiological, speech/language, educational and medical reports if these evaluations occurred outside Children's Hospital Boston. This information will be reviewed by our team, and will help us determine the most appropriate course of appointments to evaluate your child's candidacy for a cochlear implant.
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Children frequently require multiple tests and meet with a number of specialists during the evaluation process, often requiring several visits. We will keep you informed of your child's potential candidacy along the way. It is our job to determine, from all possible perspectives, that a cochlear implant is truly a good option for your child.
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Over the course of the candidacy process, your child will meet with many members of our cochlear implant team, including:
- An audiologist: The audiologist provides hearing testing, and an information session for the parents, family members, and caregivers to learn more about cochlear implants and our program. The audiologist, along with our program coordinator, will be your family's main contact with our program.
- An otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat doctor): The otolaryngologist assesses your child from a medical perspective to ensure that a cochlear implant is an appropriate option. This may involve ordering specialized tests, such as CT scan or MRI, or blood work, to assess your child's anatomy and possibly the cause of the hearing loss. The otolaryngologist will also provide a surgical consult to give additional information regarding what to expect during and after surgery. The individual you meet at your child's surgical consult is typically the surgeon who would perform your child's cochlear implant surgery.
- A psychologist: The psychologist assesses your child's cognitive function and general development. The psychologist helps ensure there is adequate family support and committment, and that your child has access to an appropriate educational program. For older children, the psychologist can also help prepare the child for what to expect during surgery.
- A speech-language pathologist (SLP): The SLP assesses your child's speech and language development. This can include sign or spoken language, as our SLPs are fluent in sign language. The SLP will also assess your family's access to aural rehabilitation ("listening therapy") services that must be provided following implantation, and can help your family secure services for your child when needed. They are also able to provide direct aural rehabilitation services when therapy cannot be established closer to home.
Other specialists, such developmental pediatrics, occupational therapy, genetics, ophthalmology, and neurology are available as needed for consultation.
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After your child has completed all necessary evaluations and examinations, the team discusses their findings with each other, with the family, and with your child's primary care pediatrician and school when appropriate. If it is determined that a cochlear implant is an appropriate option for your child, and your family would like to proceed with implantation, our program coordinator will work with your family to set up a surgery date.
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