Overview

While the cochlear implant provides access to sound, understanding takes more than just hearing. Intensive individualized habilitation (intervention for patients who have never heard before) and rehabilitation (intervention for patients who are learning to hear again) allows for optimal gains for all recipients. Our rehabilitation team consists of highly trained speech language pathologists and educators of the deaf. A unique rehabilitative and patient-centered focus allows for collaboration among the recipient, family, therapist, doctor, audiologist, and other professionals to establish a path to success. Our multi-disciplinary team shares a commitment to providing a complete network of services to help each of our patients use their cochlear implant(s) to achieve their greatest potential.

 

Bringing Sound to Life

Once the cochlear implant is activated, sound can be heard but may not be understood. Intensive auditory rehabilitation is necessary in order to attach meaning to the new signal. Children will develop a language system with the new auditory signal provided by the cochlear implant; whereas adults must learn to attach meaning to their established language system. Both children and adults alike require immersion in an auditory-rich environment in order to reach their maximal potential with the cochlear implant.

 

Initiating Aural Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation for children begins shortly after the implant is activated. The Cochlear Implant Center requires families to commit to a minimum of one year of rehabilitation in order to maximize outcomes. One-hour rehabilitation sessions for children occur on a weekly basis. Rehabilitation for adults begins with an adult rehabilitation consultation. This one-time, 120-minute consultation may be scheduled at any time after the patient acquires at least one month of listening experience with the cochlear implant(s). Individualized needs in the areas of auditory therapy, communication management and the adjustment to an auditory environment are determined. Based upon the results of this functional evaluation, the therapist will recommend a treatment plan for follow-up services, which may occur weekly or as needed.

 

Rehabilitation Goals and Objectives

Goals and objectives are tailored to meet the unique needs of the pediatric and adult patients. The rehabilitation program systematically develops one’s ability to detect, imitate and associate meaning with the sounds of spoken language. Through a process of specialized strategies, instruction is provided with analysis and feedback to cultivate the emerging auditory system. Our rehabilitation services will provide the necessary guidance to address these individual needs and empower individuals to meet their optimal potential.