Loyola Medicine reached a landmark feat with its 500th cochlear implant surgery. A standard treatment for patients with hearing loss but do not benefit as much from hearing aids, cochlear implants (CIs) have been reported to improve the quality of life of recipients.
"Loyola Medicine has an adult population of CI recipients, the vast majority of whom present with progressive hearing loss ranging from several years to decades," shared Candace R. Blank, AuD, audiologist chief at Loyola Medicine. "We see patients who range in age from their late teens through their 90s, with expected co-morbidities including anxiety, depression, and social isolation."
Over 37.5 million American adults have reported some form of hearing difficulty—an issue that worsens with age and gets aggravated by factors like occupational noise and excessive listening to recreational sounds.
Hearing loss is also associated with increased health risks like depression and cognitive impairment. However, a recent study based on a large-scale NHIS survey has pointed to the gap in audiology referral of many adults who could benefit from a hearing test, hearing aids, and CIs (Hearing Journal. 2018;71(3):6). In fact, only 22 percent of CI candidates actually get the device, the study found.
"There is a lack of information and awareness of current guidelines for implantable solutions among the public as well as with primary care physicians," explained Blank. "The survey underscores the importance of the primary care physician in taking an active role in understanding the significant implications of hearing loss.It is extremely unfortunate that majority of people who could benefit from a CI are not directed to the proper avenues necessary to be evaluated."
But Loyola offers a different scene, being one of the busiest hearing centers in the Midwest. It is also one of the first centers to implant a hybrid system—a combination of a CI and a hearing aid.
"Loyola Medicine's successful CI program is directly related to the close relationship between our excellent audiology and neurotology team," Blank told The Hearing Journal. The 500th CI surgery was done by John Leonetti, MD, one of Loyola's four otolaryngologists with expertise in this procedure. "Together we determine if someone is medically, audiologically, and holistically a candidate—even if the patient is 96 years old… We treat both the patient's body and soul."
"Loyola Medicine has an adult population of CI recipients, the vast majority of whom present with progressive hearing loss ranging from several years to decades," shared Candace R. Blank, AuD, audiologist chief at Loyola Medicine. "We see patients who range in age from their late teens through their 90s, with expected co-morbidities including anxiety, depression, and social isolation."Over 37.5 million American adults have reported some form of hearing difficulty—an issue that worsens with age and gets aggravated by factors like occupational noise and excessive listening to recreational sounds.
Hearing loss is also associated with increased health risks like depression and cognitive impairment. However, a recent study based on a large-scale NHIS survey has pointed to the gap in audiology referral of many adults who could benefit from a hearing test, hearing aids, and CIs (Hearing Journal. 2018;71(3):6). In fact, only 22 percent of CI candidates actually get the device, the study found.
"There is a lack of information and awareness of current guidelines for implantable solutions among the public as well as with primary care physicians," explained Blank. "The survey underscores the importance of the primary care physician in taking an active role in understanding the significant implications of hearing loss.It is extremely unfortunate that majority of people who could benefit from a CI are not directed to the proper avenues necessary to be evaluated."
But Loyola offers a different scene, being one of the busiest hearing centers in the Midwest. It is also one of the first centers to implant a hybrid system—a combination of a CI and a hearing aid.
"Loyola Medicine's successful CI program is directly related to the close relationship between our excellent audiology and neurotology team," Blank told The Hearing Journal. The 500th CI surgery was done by John Leonetti, MD, one of Loyola's four otolaryngologists with expertise in this procedure. "Together we determine if someone is medically, audiologically, and holistically a candidate—even if the patient is 96 years old… We treat both the patient's body and soul."
Published: 3/30/2018 10:15:00 AM
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