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Surgical Solutions

Not all types of hearing loss are best treated with conventional hearing aids. For some patients, surgery is the best option to restore audibility.

Cochlear Implants
A cochlear implant is an artificial-hearing device designed for patients with severe to profound hearing loss. The function of this device is to replace damaged cochlear hair cells, which are responsible for converting sound vibrations into electrical impulses to be sent to the brain.

The cochlear implant system contains two sections — the external processor and the internal implant. The external processor is worn behind the ear similar to a hearing aid. This processor picks up sound through a sophisticated microphone and converts the sound into a digital signal. This signal is transmitted to the internal implant through a transmission coil placed over the internal implant.

The internal implant receives the digital signal and converts the signal to electrical energy. This electrical energy is delivered to the hearing nerve and bypasses the damaged cochlear hair cells. This delivers the perception of sound directly to the hearing nerve.

If you are a candidate for a cochlear implant, you will undergo a series of tests by an audiologist and an otolaryngologist (ear, nose and throat specialist) to evaluate your appropriateness for the implant. Audiology testing includes a complete audiologic evaluation and a measurement of speech perception ability. A CT scan will help determine your eligibility, and other tests can determine which ear is most suitable for implantation.

Several weeks after implantation, an audiologist “turns on” the implant. This is an historic occasion as it is the first time you hear sounds via the implant. Follow-up care consists of appointments every two to four weeks for the first few months, then an average of one appointment every year.

Bone-Anchored Cochlear Stimulators
Bone-anchored cochlear stimulators provide a hearing solution if you have malformations of the external ear or one sided hearing loss. The external processor is attached behind the ear to a small titanium implant that is surgically implanted in the skull behind the ear. This device changes sound to a vibration, which then is conveyed to the functioning cochlea(s).

Your brain is able to distinguish between the sound that it receives from the deaf side via the processor and the sound that it receives from the hearing ear. This enables you to experience the sensation of hearing from your deaf side.

An evaluation with an otolaryngologist and a current audiogram test will be done to determine if you are a candidate for the bone-anchored cochlear stimulator. Other tests may be selected by the physician. You will be able to listen to a simulator to hear what the bone-anchored hearing device will sound like.

Following implant surgery, you will meet with your physician every two to four weeks, until the activation appointment three to six months after surgery. Once the device is activated, you will be able to hear immediately. Follow-up care requires you to clean the implant site daily. Addititional appointments are set annually as needed.

Locations and Contacts
A full spectrum of audiology services is available in Maywood at:

Loyola University Hospital

Audiology services also are offered at the following Loyola sites:

Center for Health at Hickory Hills
Oakbrook Terrace Medical Center
Primary Care Center at Wheaton

If you would like to make an appointment for a hearing evaluation, please call us at (888) LUHS-888.