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Comprehensive Otolaryngology

Identifying Cochlear Implant Candidates for the Comprehensive Otolaryngologist

Wednesday, October 4, 2023
11:45 AM - 12:45 PM East Coast USA Time
Location: 101CD
Disclosure(s):
Jeffrey W. Yu, MD: No relevant relationships to disclose.
Varun V. Varadarajan, MD: No relevant relationships to disclose.
Michael S. Harris, MD: No relevant relationships to disclose.
Kristin L. Kozlowski, AuD: No relevant relationships to disclose.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: The purpose of this session is to update comprehensive otolaryngologists and audiologists on current cochlear implant (CI) candidacy criteria and provide guidance on when to refer patients for CI. This session highlights changes to CI candidacy and new research supporting expanded indications such as bilateral implantation, asymmetric hearing loss, and implantation with significant residual hearing. New considerations including hearing preservation and the impact of untreated hearing loss on cognitive decline are also addressed in the context of CI.

OUTCOME OBJECTIVE 1: Demonstrate patient factors and features from basic audiograms that can be used by a comprehensive otolaryngologist to identify potential CI candidates.

OUTCOME OBJECTIVE 2: Discuss expanded CI candidacy and the differences between Federal Drug Administration (FDA) candidacy and Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS).

OUTCOME OBJECTIVE 3: Provide an overview of pertinent research on the connection between untreated hearing loss and cognitive decline in the context of CI.

BACKGROUND STATEMENT: CI candidacy criteria has expanded, yet CI-eligible patients remain under-referred. Comprehensive otolaryngologists can help patients achieve better auditory, cognitive, and quality of life outcomes after CI through early identification and referral.