LM304 - Keeping Up with Candidacy: The Latest in Hearing Implant Guidelines and Indications

Abstract:
Hearing implant candidacy continues to evolve, now including options for children as young as 9 months and those with ski slope hearing loss or single sided deafness. The literature demonstrates that delaying appropriate intervention as defined by best practice consensus guidelines has a detrimental effect on long term outcomes. Several leading researchers in audiology and otolaryngology have worked to establish Standard of Care guidelines along with best practice consensus papers. This course will walk participants through the changing landscape and introduce resources to ensure you are up to date with the latest information.

Summary:
In the field of audiology, we are all familiar with the significant gap in the number of people with disabling hearing loss and those we are able to reach with appropriate intervention. Unfortunately, this carries through to hearing implant candidates. The literature demonstrates that delaying appropriate intervention as defined by best practice consensus guidelines has a detrimental effect on long term outcomes. Several leading audiology and otolaryngology researchers have worked to establish Standard of Care guidelines along with best practice consensus papers for specific applications of technology.

Cochlear implant candidacy continues to evolve and now includes options for children as young as 9 months and those with ski slope hearing loss or single sided deafness. This course will walk participants through the changing landscape, providing information on the far-reaching impact of hearing loss and when it’s time to consider a cochlear implant evaluation. Tools and resources to help counsel patients through the process are included.

This 1-hour course will provide an engaging overview of hearing implant technology for professionals who do not work regularly with these products in their daily practice via interactive case studies focusing on referral criteria, candidacy, and the latest relevant research.