2023 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 5-7, 2023 • Cincinnati, OH
3/14/2022 | 9:30 AM - 9:55 AM | The benefits of upgrading external CI technology: pediatric cochlear implant user experience and professional feedback | Room 3
The benefits of upgrading external CI technology: pediatric cochlear implant user experience and professional feedback
One of the exciting things about cochlear implant technology is the continued advancements. The latest generation of sound processors is designed to deliver clearer sound, improved comfort, integrate automatic capabilities, and work with the existing internal device. Upgraded CI technology helps provide children not only with better hearing but also with new freedoms. Much of the experience shared in the area of external technology upgradeability focuses on hearing performance and not on the acceptance of the new technology and its impact on the consistency of use and quality of life, even though wearability and ease of use of the cochlear implant system is an important factor in patient and families’ satisfaction.
The purpose of this presentation is to share our clinical experience and observations gathered with over 75 pediatric CI users upgraded to a new pediatric specific sound processor. Through case studies we will share examples of the benefits provided by the new technology in terms of hearing performance in real-world environments, wearing time, acceptance, device usability, and family satisfaction. A second objective is to provide professional feedback on fitting practices, from an audiologist’s perspective, and the benefit of partnering with families to ensure better outcome with upgraded hearing technologies.
Overall, we observed high satisfaction in the use of the new sound processor from children and their families. Upgraded technology can demonstrate additional benefits beyond hearing performance like increase wearing time and adaptability to different lifestyles. Based on our experiences and findings, the new pediatric sound processor technology has the potential to bring multi-dimensional benefits to the young recipients and their families. Details will be presented during the session. We anticipate that the information shared will be helpful for professionals – pediatric healthcare providers and early interventionists - at the time of counseling the benefits of upgrading to new hearing technology.
- Discuss the benefits of sound processor technology upgrade for children and their families
- Discuss the challenges of sound processor technology upgrade for children and their families
- Discuss the benefits of partnering with families to ensure better outcome with upgraded hearing technologies.
Presentation:
3353554_15052DeniseThomas.pdf
Handouts:
Handout is not Available
Transcripts:
CART transcripts are NOT YET available, but will be posted shortly after the conference
Presenters/Authors
Denise Thomas
(InPerson), Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, dthomas@luriechildrens.org;
Denise Thomas, Au.D., CCC-A is a Senior Pediatric Audiologist and the Clinical Coordinator for the Cochlear Implant Program at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. She completed her training at the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Denise has been with Lurie Children’s for fifteen years and provides a full range of audiology services to cochlear implant candidates and recipients. Her areas of interest non-traditional pediatric CI candidates and development of the Audiology Externship Program at Lurie Children’s.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
• Receives Other financial benefit for Teaching and speaking from Advanced Bionics.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist.
Cara Donahue
(), Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, cdonahue@luriechildrens.org;
Cara Donahue, Au.D., CCC-A is a pediatric audiologist on the Cochlear Implant Team at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago. Cara completed her Bachelor's Degree at The Ohio State University and her Au.D. at University of Memphis. Cara is one of the leaders of the Sound Experience family support group at Lurie Children's and is very involved in audiology student and medical resident education.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
• Receives Other financial benefit for Teaching and speaking from Advanced Bionics.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist.