Adult cochlear implant (CI) patient journey

Introduction

This leaflet is intended to help patients and their families / carers understand what will happen at the different stages of receiving a cochlear implant.

The three stages of the patient journey

Stage 1: Assessment

• Initial assessment: You will be invited to have an appointment with your audiologist and hearing rehabilitationist to determine whether you meet national NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) criteria for a CI, and if it would be of benefit to you (up to two hours).
• Medical assessment: You will have an appointment with the specialist nurse to determine medical suitability for a cochlear implant (up to 30 minutes plus any other appointments required such as blood tests).
• CT head scan: This appointment can be at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, or another hospital in the surrounding area.
• Clinic appointment with consultant: This will be your opportunity to meet your consultant and to be informed whether or not we are able to offer you a CI. The risks of surgery will also be discussed.
• Device information appointment: This appointment is with your rehabilitationist to discuss your expectations of hearing with a CI in more depth, and to order your CI equipment (up to two hours).

Stage 2: Surgery and post-op

• Pre-op checks and operation: The checks and operation are carried out either at Addenbrooke’s hospital or the Spire Cambridge Lea Hospital in Impington, Cambridge. CI surgery is usually a day case.
• Medical appointment: This appointment is with the specialist nurse at the Emmeline Centre to determine whether your ear is suitably healed to have your CI activated. This usually happens two to four weeks after your surgery.
• Equipment briefing: Your rehabilitationist will explain to you how to look after your CI and additional equipment in preparation for activation (up to two hours; this is usually a remote appointment via video call).

Stage 3: CI pathway appointments

The table below refers to 'Programming' and 'Rehabilitation' appointments:

• Programming: with the audiologist to program your processor
• Rehabilitation: to guide your adjustment to CI sound

Please note: All timeframes are approximate because appointments may have to be offered on different days / times depending on the demands of the clinic at the time.

Privacy and dignity

Same sex bays and bathrooms are offered in all wards except critical care and theatre recovery areas where the use of high-tech equipment and / or specialist one-to-one care is required.