Cochlear Implantation Clinic

To receive an informational packet, discuss whether your child might be a candidate, or be scheduled for an evaluation, call (414) 266-2685 or e-mail us at cochlear.implant@mcw.edu

The Cochlear Implant Program at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin is a collaborative program with Froedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin. In addition to being the largest cochlear implant program in the state of Wisconsin, the program is recognized nationally for its strong clinical program, participation in investigational studies, on-going research related to cochlear implantation, and contribution to the field.

We offer diagnosis and treatment for:
Children with severe-to-profound sensorineural hearing loss who may be cochlear implant candidates and those who already have been implanted.

We provide the following services:

• Evaluation for implantation.
• Device programming.
• Aural rehabilitation therapy.
• Speech/language evaluation and therapy.
• Educational consultation and collaboration with the schools and other local service providers.
• Post-implant communication assessment.
• Parent and family support groups.

Clinic location:
Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Milwaukee.

What happens at a visit?
For an initial cochlear implant evaluation:
After gathering information from the family and looking at previous audiological records, the child is scheduled for the necessary appointments.

A comprehensive evaluation would include the following appointments:

• Audiological - to obtain individual ear information both with and without hearing aids, speech perception testing to evaluate how well the child is able to understand speech through hearing aids alone, and extensive discussion of these test results and issues related to cochlear implant candidacy. This appointment typically is three hours. For younger children, several appointments may be needed.
• Speech/Language - to obtain information about the child's communication abilities and identify ways to help the child further develop these communication skills. This appointment is about three hours. After the appointment, a report of the results, with recommendations, is sent to the family as well as the child's school and other medical specialists, if needed.

All our audiologists and speech/language therapists are highly skilled with extensive training and master's or PhD-level education.

• CT scan of the cochlea - to provide the surgeon information about the status of the cochlea.
• Otological - to discuss the surgical issues related to cochlear implantation and to determine if the child is a good candidate. Results of the CT scan are discussed and families are encouraged to ask the surgeon questions about the procedure.
• Psychological - to evaluate the child's learning ability and psychological appropriateness for cochlear implantation. This is a two to three hour appointment that takes place in the Children's Hospital Child Development Center.
• Device discussion - if the family is interested, or if the child is likely to receive a cochlear implant, the audiologist will review each of the available cochlear implant devices with the family (and child when appropriate). This two-hour session sometimes is combined with one of the initial audiological evaluations.
• Post-implant expectations discussion - throughout the evaluation process, the family will be told what results they can expect as well as the necessary post-implant follow up. There will be many opportunities for families to ask questions.

Who will I see?

• Audiology - one or two cochlear implant audiologists work with the child during the testing, depending on the age of the child. These specialists also work with children after implantation and are able to discuss the post-implant process.
• Speech/Language - a speech/language pathologist with experience in evaluation of children with hearing loss.
• Otological - Phillip Wackym, MD, neurotologist at Children's Hospital and chairman of the Department of Otolaryngology at the Medical College of Wisconsin.
• Psychological - Robert Schum, PhD, pediatric psychologist at Children's Hospital and an associate professor of Pediatrics at the Medical College of Wisconsin, with extensive experience in evaluation of children with hearing loss and communication disorders.