Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/233706
includes testing in a variety of situations: with and without hearing aids, unilateral versus bilateral, and in quiet and noise to determine if a cochlear implant may be appropriate. Even if the patient is not a cochlear implant candidate yet, the evaluation can provide recommendations for different hearing aids or other assistive technologies that may help a patient hear better. "Historically, we've evaluated patients while they're listening to full sentences in quiet, and someone really had to struggle in quiet in order to be a candidate for cochlear implant," Sydlowski explains. "Today, we consider an individual's ability to understand individual words as well as speech in background noise, both of which are more like the real world and are better measures of a person's overall communication ability. We are also involved in clinical studies, which may lead to further expanding the criteria. This will make cochlear implant technology accessible to more people." Improved Technology For those who need cochlear implants or already have them, significant advances in the technology — such as more powerful sound processing, better synchronization of microphones and wireless access to cell phones — are Erika Woodson, MD, (left) is the Medical Director, and Sarah Sydlowski, AuD, PhD, is the Audiology Director of the Hearing Implant Program (HIP) at Cleveland Clinic's Head & Neck Institute, where nearly 100 patients per year receive cochlear implants. creating avenues for these individuals to be as linked through communication as people with normal hearing. "It's important to realize that everything that's implanted through surgery is designed for lifelong use. The outside component, the processor, is frequently updated, and all manufacturers are committed to making their newest processor back-compatible with the implant," says Dr. Woodson. "So patients don't have to be concerned that they're going to miss out on the next best thing if they consider a cochlear implant sooner rather than later." For more information about Cleveland Clinic's Hearing Implant Program, visit www.clevelandclinic.org/hni. To refer a patient for a cochlear implant evaluation, call 216-444-0354 or email hipteam@ccf.org. ■ Cochlear implants consist of an internally implanted device and an external component that is typically worn behind the ear. These two components communicate via radio frequency. Most modern day cochlear implant systems also include remote controls and/or other wireless accessories. 2014 JANUARY/FEBRUARY ■ MDNEWS.COM ■ MD NEWS Cleveland/Akron/Canton | 25