When to consider a cochlear implant evaluation for your client*

Did you know that in New Zealand, approximately 1 in 20 adults who could benefit from a cochlear implant have one?1 If hearing aids are not providing your clients the ability to achieve their listening goals, a cochlear implant may be the next step.

Audiologist-Patient-Adult.jpg

A cochlear implant may be the next step for your client

Cochlear implants are an established treatment for people of any age with moderately severe to profound hearing loss when hearing aids are no longer provide enough benefit.2 Evidence shows that cochlear implants provide access to improvements in the areas of speech understanding, quality of life, cognition, mental health, and well-being.2-15 Research also shows that for people that meet candidacy, earlier implantation is associated with better outcomes.16

A recent study showed that 95% of patients who met traditional indications for a cochlear implant (n=25) had a pure-tone average that was greater than or equal to 60 dB, while 92% had a better ear unaided monosyllabic word score that was less than or equal to 60%. Therefore, patients with hearing losses greater than or equal to 60 dB HL (pure tone average 0.5, 1k, 2 kHz) and speech understanding less than or equal to 60%, should be considered for a referral for a cochlear implant evaluation.17

96% of patients that met the 60/60 referral guidelines were cochlear implant candidates17

Referral guidelines for New Zealand

If your client meets ANY of the criteria below in BETTER ear, consider referring the client for a cochlear implant evaluation to determine candidacy.*,17

CI Criteria Magnet AU.pdf

Learn more about cochlear implants and referral through our professional education programs:

Live virtual events  On demand education

 

Refer towards better hearing

If your client meets any of the 60/60 screening criteria, refer your client to the nearest cochlear implant programme.

Lake Taupo

 

Referral resources

Download resources or order resources from our online portal to help you support your clients on the next step towards better hearing.

Referral guidelines 

Referral FAQ 

Funding for Cochlear Implants in New Zealand  

Order resources 

To request a portal login, visit www.cochlearcollateral.com/register or email the Cochlear Collateral Team at custadmin@pmaglobal.co

 

Did you know?

Many adult cochlear implant users continue to wear a hearing aid on their non-implanted ear, commonly referred to as bimodal hearing. For many people, using a cochlear implant on one ear and a hearing aid on the other is the combination that provides them with their best hearing.

When compared to using a hearing aid or cochlear implant alone, users of bimodal hearing report a more natural hearing experience,18 improved speech understanding in quiet and noise,19-22 improved perception of music,23 and better functioning in real-life environments.19

In a large study, users of bimodal hearing also reported much higher satisfaction with their hearing performance across a range of listening situations, compared to when they used two hearing aids.24

CI Criteria Magnet AU.pdf

*This provides a recommendation only of when an adult may be referred for a cochlear implant evaluation, but does not guarantee candidacy based on indications. (Only for adults).

 

Disclaimer

This material is intended for health professionals. If you are a consumer, please seek advice from your health professional about treatments for hearing loss. Outcomes may vary, and your health professional will advise you about the factors which could affect your outcome. Always read the instructions for use. Not all products are available in all countries. Please contact your local Cochlear representative for product information.

For a full list of Cochlear’s trademarks, please visit our Terms of Use page.

References

  1. Michel Neeff. Cochlear implants: Are we meeting the standard of care in New Zealand? [Internet]. New Zealand Audiological Society; 2020 [published 2020 Sep 16; cited 2024 Jul 16]. Available from: https://audiology.org.nz/news/cochlear-implants-are-we-meeting-the-standard-of-care-in-new-zealand/
  2. Buchman CA, Herzog JA, McJunkin JL, Wick CC, Durkovic N, Firszt JB, Kallogjeri D. Assessment of Speech Understanding after Cochlear Implantation in Adult Hearing Aid Users. A Nonrandomized Controlled Trial. JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery. 2020;146(10):916-924.
  3. Hamerschmidt R, Santos VM, Gonçalves FM, Delcenserie A, Champoux F, de Araujo CM, de Lacerda ABM. Changes in cognitive performance after cochlear implantation in adults and older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Audiol. 2022 Mar 23:1-12. doi: 10.1080/14992027.2022.2050823. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35318870.
  4. Jayakody DMP, Friedland PL, Nel E, Martins RN, Atlas MD, Sohrabi HR. Impact of Cochlear Implantation on Cognitive Functions of Older Adults: Pilot Test Results. Otol Neurotol. 2017 Sep;38(8):e289-e295. doi: 10.1097/MAO.0000000000001502. PMID: 28806341.
  5. Mertens G, Andries E, Claes AJ, Topsakal V, Van de Heyning P, Van Rompaey V, Calvino M, Sanchez Cuadrado I, Muñoz E, Gavilán J, Bieńkowska K, Świerniak W, Skarżyński PH, Skarżyński H, Tapper L, Killan C, Ridgwell J, McGowan J, Raine C, Tavora-Vieira D, Marino R, Acharya A, Lassaletta L. Cognitive Improvement After Cochlear Implantation in Older Adults With Severe or Profound Hearing Impairment: A Prospective, Longitudinal, Controlled, Multicenter Study. Ear Hear. 2021 May/Jun;42(3):606-614. doi: 10.1097/AUD.0000000000000962. PMID: 33055579; PMCID: PMC8088820.
  6. Yeo BSY, Song HJJMD, Toh EMS, Ng LS, Ho CSH, Ho R, Merchant RA, Tan BKJ, Loh WS. Association of Hearing Aids and Cochlear Implants With Cognitive Decline and Dementia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA Neurol. 2022 Dec 5. doi: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2022.4427. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36469314.
  7. Völter C, Götze L, Bajewski M, Dazert S, Thomas JP. Cognition and Cognitive Reserve in Cochlear Implant Recipients. Front Aging Neurosci. 2022 Mar 21;14:838214. doi: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.838214. PMID: 35391751; PMCID: PMC8980358.
  8. Völter C, Götze L, Dazert S, Falkenstein M, Thomas JP. Can cochlear implantation improve neurocognition in the aging population? Clin Interv Aging. 2018.
  9. Mosnier I, Vanier A, Bonnard D, Lina-Granade G, Truy E, Bordure P, et al. Long-Term Cognitive Prognosis of Profoundly Deaf Older Adults After Hearing Rehabilitation Using Cochlear Implants. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2018.
  10. Contrera KJ, Sung YK, Betz J, Li L, Lin FR. Change in loneliness after intervention with cochlear implants or hearing aids. Laryngoscope. 2017 Aug;127(8):1885-1889. doi: 10.1002/lary.26424. Epub 2017 Jan 6. PMID: 28059448; PMCID: PMC5500450.
  11. Mosnier I, Bebear J, Marx M, Fraysse B, Truy E, Lina-Granade G, Mondain M, Sterkers-Artières F, Bordure P, Robier A, Godey B, Meyer B, Frachet B, Poncet-Wallet C, Bouccara D, Sterkers O. Improvement of cognitive function after cochlear implantation in elderly patients. JAMA Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery. 2015;141(5):442-450. doi: 10.1001/jamaoto.2015.129
  12. Crowson MG, Semenov YR, Tucci DL, Niparko JK. Quality of life and cost-effectiveness of cochlear implants: a narrative review. Audiol Neurootol. 2017;22(4-5):236-258. doi: 10.1159/000481767. Epub 2017 Dec 21. PMID: 29262414.
  13. Tang L, Thompson CB, Clark JH, Ceh KM, Yeagle JD, Francis HW. Rehabilitation and psychosocial determinants of cochlear implant outcomes in older adults. Ear Hear. 2017.
  14. Kelsall D, Lupo J, Biever A. Longitudinal outcomes of cochlear implantation and bimodal hearing in a large group of adults: A multicenter clinical study. Am. J. Otolaryngol. 2021;42(1):102773
  15. Runge CL, Henion K, Tarima S, Beiter A, Zwolan TA. Clinical outcomes of the Cochlear™ Nucleus® 5 cochlear implant system and SmartSound™ 2 signal processing. J Am Acad Audiol. 2016;27(6):425–440.
  16. Birman CS, Sanli H. Cochlear Implant Outcomes in Patients With Severe Compared With Profound Hearing Loss. Otol Neurotol. 2020 Apr;41(4):e458-e463. doi: 10.1097/MAO.0000000000002574. PMID: 32176130.
  17. Zwolan TA, Schvartz-Leyzac KC, Pleasant T. Development of a 60/60 Guideline for Referring Adults for a Traditional Cochlear Implant Candidacy Evaluation. Otol Neurotol. 2020 Aug;41(7):895-900.
  18. Farinetti A, Roman S, Mancini J, et al. Quality of life in bimodal hearing users (unilateral cochlear implants and contralateral hearing aids). Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2015 Nov;272:3209–3215.
  19. Ching TY, Incerti P, Hill M. Binaural benefits for adults who use hearing aids and cochlear implants in opposite ears. Ear Hear. 2004 Feb;25:9–21.
  20. Morera C, Cavalle L, Manrique M, et al. Contralateral hearing aid use in cochlear implanted patients: Multicenter study of bimodal benefit. Acta Otolaryngol. 2012 Jun
  21. Potts LG, Skinner MW, Litovsky RA., et al. Recognition and localization of speech by adult cochlear implant recipients wearing a digital hearing aid in the nonimplanted ear (bimodal hearing). J Am Acad Audiol (2009 Jun); 20, 353–373.
  22. Gifford RH, Dorman MF, McKarns SA, Spahr AJ. Combined electric and contralateral acoustic hearing: Word and sentence recognition with bimodal hearing. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research. (2007 Aug) 1;50(4):835-43.
  23. Sucher CM, McDermott HJ. Bimodal stimulation: benefits for music perception and sound quality. Cochlear Implants International. (2009 Jan); 1;10(S1):96-9.
  24. Lupo JE, Biever A, Kelsall DC. Comprehensive hearing aid assessment in adults with bilateral severe-profound sensorineural hearing loss who present for Cochlear implant evaluation. Am J Otolaryngol. 2020;41(2):102300.