AudiologyOnline Phone: 800-753-2160


CaptionCall - Keep Patients Connected - Refer your eligible patients today

Binaural Cochlear Implants

Kyle C. Dennis, PhD, CCC-A, FAAA

December 13, 2004

Share:

Question

I have received a Nucleus 24 contour implant 12/2003. My insurance will only cover one implant. I am wondering if there is any push to have the FDA change to allow binaural implants? With the benefit I am receiving monaurally, I believe binaural would be "fantastic".

Answer

FDA criteria do not limit patients to monaural implants. Insurance companies may limit coverage, but this is not based on FDA criteria. Generally, implant surgeons will implant only one ear initially to preserve residual hearing should the implant fail. Successful implantation in one ear would not preclude subsequent implantation in the other ear, if it was medically appropriate. The patient's physician should provide clear justification for the second implant.

Dr. Dennis is a Rehab Planning Specialist in the Audiology and Speech Pathology National Program Office in the Department of Veterans Affairs. He received his doctorate in Audiology from Northwestern University and a masters degree in Audiology from Tulane University. Before assuming his current post, Dr. Dennis was service chief of the Audiology and Speech Pathology Service at the VA Chicago Health Care System. Dr. Dennis serves on several national committees for the American Academy of Audiology and the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.


Kyle C. Dennis, PhD, CCC-A, FAAA


Related Courses

Singing in the Rain: Using Music to Reinforce Listening (Professionals)
Presented by Chris Barton, MM, MT-BC
Text/Transcript
Advanced Bionics

Presenter

Chris Barton, MM, MT-BC
Course: #22785Level: Intermediate1 Hour
  'interesting to hear perspective of a music therapist who works with CI users'   Read Reviews
No CEUs/Hours Offered
Presented by Christine Barton, this course provides participants with additional approaches to using music for spoken language development in young deaf and hard of hearing children. A special emphasis on the use of songs that focus on listening and language development while a young child is playing in the water will be provided.

View this Course for FREE.
Need CEUs? Become a AudiologyOnline member to get unlimited CEUs.

Only $129/yr

Learn More

Best Practices for Cochlear Implant Candidacy: Pediatrics, in partnership with American Cochlear Implant Alliance
Presented by Denise Thomas, AuD, CCC-A, Lindsay Zombek, MS, CCC-SLP, LSLS Cert. AVEd
Recorded Webinar
AudiologyOnline

Presenters

Denise Thomas, AuD, CCC-ALindsay Zombek, MS, CCC-SLP, LSLS Cert. AVEd
Course: #33025Level: Intermediate1 Hour
  'Very thorough, clear, concise and gave specific measures that were important for complete eval'   Read Reviews
This course examines both the Food and Drug Administration and best-practice candidacy assessment practices for pediatric cochlear implantation. Medical, audiology, speech-language pathology, and other assessments and considerations will be discussed to help identify best practices for candidacy determination.

View this Course for FREE.
Need CEUs? Become a AudiologyOnline member to get unlimited CEUs.

Only $129/yr

Learn More

Implementation of Cochlear Implants: Enhanced Candidacy Criteria and Technology Advances
Presented by J. Thomas Roland, MD Jr.
Recorded Webinar
AudiologyOnline

Presenter

J. Thomas Roland, MD Jr.
Course: #37377Level: Intermediate1 Hour
  'Although we do not do ABI at our clinic, this was extremely interesting to learn about'   Read Reviews
The participant in this course will understand the extended candidacy criteria with cochlear implantation and expectations. The course will cover implanting under age one, hybrid hearing with cochlear implantation, CI under local anesthesia, single-sided deafness, cochlear implantation, and auditory brainstem implantation.

View this Course for FREE.
Need CEUs? Become a AudiologyOnline member to get unlimited CEUs.

Only $129/yr

Learn More

Using GSI for Cochlear Implant Evaluations
Presented by Joseph Dansie, AuD
Recorded Webinar
Grason-Stadler (GSI)

Presenter

Joseph Dansie, AuD
Course: #39682Level: Introductory1 Hour
  'Solid course'   Read Reviews
This course is designed to educate audiologists on the practical workflow for patients who require cochlear implants. From Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved indications and Medicare requirements to pre-op and post-op evaluations, audiologists will gain a clear understanding of the cochlear implant process.

View this Course for FREE.
Need CEUs? Become a AudiologyOnline member to get unlimited CEUs.

Only $129/yr

Learn More

Adult Assessments in Hearing Healthcare: Working Across the Continuum
Presented by Camille Dunn, PhD, Susan Good, AuD, MBA, Alejandra Ullauri, AuD, MPH, Ted McRackan, MD, MSCR, Donna L. Sorkin, MA, Rene Gifford, PhD
Recorded Webinar
AudiologyOnline

Presenters

Camille Dunn, PhDSusan Good, AuD, MBAAlejandra Ullauri, AuD, MPHTed McRackan, MD, MSCRDonna L. Sorkin, MARene Gifford, PhD
Course: #38660Level: Intermediate5 Hours
  'Excellent evidence based information presented by knowledgable speakers that covered the listed outcomes'   Read Reviews
This five-course series on adult assessments in hearing health is intended to stimulate collaborative approaches for hearing health professionals, regardless of what hearing technologies they typically provide. Ideally, professionals will support patients in their long-term hearing loss journey, facilitating transitions when appropriate and a comfortable sense of the range of ways hearing loss can be addressed throughout one’s hearing journey.

View this Course for FREE.
Need CEUs? Become a AudiologyOnline member to get unlimited CEUs.

Only $129/yr

Learn More

Our site uses cookies to improve your experience. By using our site, you agree to our Privacy Policy.