Question
Many of my patients with severe to profound high-frequency sensorineural hearing loss still report significant communication difficulties even with well fitted hearing aids. What other treatment options are available?
Answer
For those with severe to profound hearing loss in the high frequencies, even the most powerful hearing aids may not provide an effective solution. Often these patients report that they experience major communication difficulties, as well as a high level of dissatisfaction in their performance with conventional hearing aids. Yet, they are not considered to be suitable candidates for cochlear implantation because they have significant low-frequency hearing.
Even with appropriately fit hearing aids, many of these hearing impaired individuals still struggle with speech comprehension and hearing environmental sounds, especially at a distance or in the presence of competing noise. They often find it difficult to hear the higher frequencies, such as consonants in speech, as well as sounds such as birds chirping, doorbells, and ambulance sirens – potentially impacting their safety, employment opportunities, and overall quality of life.
The Cochlear™ Nucleus® Hybrid™ Implant System is a new treatment option to address the unique needs of patients with high-frequency hearing loss. This exciting technology provides access to high-frequency information via electrical stimulation to improve speech perception abilities. At the same time, the Hybrid processor uses acoustically useful low-frequency hearing that may lead to additional benefits such as the ability to listen in the presence of background noise and to appreciate music.
The Nucleus Hybrid System from Cochlear is the first truly integrated electroacoustic stimulation solution available for those with severe to profound high-frequency hearing loss. Hybrid™ Hearing seamlessly blends two well established and effective solutions to complete an individual’s hearing experience. The system is comprised of the Nucleus Hybrid L24 implant and the Nucleus 6 Sound Processor with acoustic component.
It fully integrates world-class cochlear implant technology from Cochlear, the global leader for over 30 years, with state-of-the-art acoustic hearing aid technology, to deliver true Hybrid Hearing. The higher frequency regions of the cochlea are stimulated electrically, while lower frequency hearing may be preserved for acoustic amplification. By effectively compensating for the severe to profound high-frequency loss using electrical stimulation, Hybrid Hearing enables recipients to regain their ability to communicate easily in real-life situations and enhances their appreciation of environmental sounds. Thank you for your question.
For more information, please visit www.cochlear.com or the Cochlear Expo Page on AudiologyOnline.
