Cochlear Implants

COCHLEAR IMPLANTS

COCHLEAR IMPLANT INFORMATION

Some people with significant hearing loss still struggle to hear well, even when wearing hearing aids that are expertly programmed. This is when cochlear implants might give more benefit than hearing aids. Many people with even total hearing loss can benefit from cochlear implants and hear again.

Ballarat Hearing Clinic is now able to see adult patients for Cochlear implants. Our clinic works with The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital (RVEEH) and Cochlear to provide services to regional Victoria. This means patients no longer need to travel to Melbourne for evaluations to determine their suitability for implantation.
Ballrat Hearing Clinic
We are able to conduct comprehensive testing for people who are not getting good benefit from hearing aids and determine the likelihood of them getting a better outcome with a Cochlear implant. We are happy to take referrals from patients themselves or family members, hearing clinics when testing and outcomes with hearing aids show limited benefit and General Practitioners, and Medical Specialists.

The Cochlear implant evaluation and discussion is performed at no cost provided standard hearing tests show significant difficulty. Our Specialist Audiologists discuss the results in detail with the patient and family. If testing indicates that a better outcome would be expected from a Cochlear implant than hearing aids, and if happy to proceed further, we liaise with a team, including Ear Nose and Throat Surgeons and other Specialists at the RVEEH.

In Victoria, Cochlear implant surgery is conducted at no cost and processors are free, either through private health insurance or through the public system. Waiting times for implant surgery in Victoria are very short, even through the public system.

Following surgery, Ballarat Hearing Clinic is able to perform the initial switch on of the cochlear implant processor and perform mapping/programming. It takes multiple appointments to set up the processor, so the patient is able to get maximum benefit from the implant. Again, the mapping is done at no cost to the patient, with the whole process covered.

Adult patients who already have Cochlear implants can also be seen for reviews and annual mapping appointments, saving them from travelling.

Ballarat Hearing Clinic is also able to arrange processor upgrades either privately or through private health insurance.

BONE ANCHORED HEARING AIDS (BAHA) INFORMATION

Ballarat Hearing Clinic is able to trial and fit Bone Anchored Hearing Aids (BAHA).

BAHAs are a type of hearing aid that use bone conduction of sound to improve hearing. That means the amplified sound is not sent down the ear canal like a traditional hearing aid, but is vibrated to the cochlear through the skull. BAHAs can be fitted on a surgically implanted post behind the ear or attached to a surgically implanted magnet under the skin behind the ear. They can also be worn and trialled on a band with no surgery required.
Ballrat Hearing Clinic
BAHAs can be fitted to people who have conductive hearing loss or people with single-sided deafness (hearing loss in one ear). BAHA may be fitted to people who are unable wear traditional hearing aids because of chronic infection or due to malformed ears or ear canals.

Ballarat Hearing Clinic can work with Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) Specialists to determine if this style of device may be suitable and can offer a loan BAHA, trialled on a headband, to demonstrate the potential benefits before taking this option further.

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