Otolaryngology: Cochlear Implants in Adults

What is the Washington University Advantage in the field of cochlear implant?

The Adult Cochlear Implant Team at Washington University School of Medicine is headed by Margaret W. Skinner, Ph.D., a researcher whose studies of cochlear implants have received international recognition. The Team includes skilled clinical, rehabilitative and research audiologists, two otolaryngologic surgeons, a neuropsychologist, a biomedical engineer and a medical secretary. This Team has extensive experience in providing a thorough pre-surgical evaluation, performing the surgery, conducting the all important post surgical training and device programming that is critical to successful cochlear implant use, and coordinating all the administrative details.

The maximum number of patients that we have seen in one year is sixteen. Compared to some other programs, that is a small number. However, we are one of a very few centers at which every patient receives an intensive, individually-tailored aural rehabilitation program. We combine auditory rehabilitation with careful adjustments of the speech processor to optimize speech recognition and sound quality in everyday listening situations. Our goal is for each individual patient to obtain as much benefit as possible from the cochlear implant. All of our patients also participate in and benefit from our ongoing clinical research program.

A comprehensive, 15-week, 30-session, post-operative hearing-training program, gives our patients the skills and support they need to successfully benefit from cochlear implantation. Our full-time, dedicated team cares about the success of each patient. You can be assured that you will receive individualized, caring, professional services from the Cochlear Implant Team. Since our program began in 1985, we have helped over 100 patients achieve their maximum benefit from a cochlear implant.

What are the benefits of getting a cochlear implant?

There are no tests to predict the level of benefit a particular individual will receive from a cochlear implant. The degree of improvement varies among individuals. However, most adults who receive a cochlear implant report many benefits that include improved communication ability and a personal sense of emotional well being.

With the implant, and the appropriate post operative training, most patients are able to improve their accuracy in understanding speech in combination with speechreading. The average patient is able to carry on a conversation on the telephone if he or she uses effective strategies to clarify what has been said to them.

Almost all are able to differentiate environmental sounds and monitor the volume and quality of their own voice. Many patients report that they experience less stress communicating with family, friends, employers and co-workers; they feel the implant has had a positive effect on involvement in daily life and relationships.

What about clinical trials and other research?

Researchers in the Adult Cochlear Implant Program conduct numerous scientific studies on cochlear inplants. It is the only implant program in this region that conducts research with adults. The knowledge gained through these studies directly benefits all implant recipients. Team members use leading-edge information to improve device programming and rehabilitation techniques.

Most of our patients come from the greater St. Louis area including Missouri and Illinois. We have had patients travel to our center from Chicago and southern Illinois, western Indiana, Oklahoma, Texas, and from throughout Missouri.