Eligibility for the cochlear implant program

Referrals

A doctor’s referral to the cochlear implant program is required. Referrals can be made using the Cochlear Implant referral form. This form must be completed and sent via mail or fax (Fax: 416-480-5761). Please include a copy of any previous hearing tests. Once we have received and reviewed your referral form, you will be contacted for an appointment. As an Ontario resident, your surgical care, hospital stay and follow-up care with our team is covered by OHIP. There will also be costs to you such as:

• Battery purchases;
• Paying for out-of-warranty-repairs;
• paying for device upgrades.

We do NOT accept referrals for cochlear implant candidates from other Canadian provinces (unless funding is transferrable). We will consider out-of-country referrals for non-residents on a case-by-case basis, through external funding.

Candidacy

Candidacy is considered on an individual basis. Health Canada and the FDA have two criteria for adult (18 years or older) cochlear implant recipients:

• The ear to be implanted must have moderate to severe/profound sensorineural hearing loss;
• AND optimally fitted hearing aids are no longer providing benefit.

Our program considers candidacy in two different populations. The first is adults who lost their hearing after learning spoken language (post-lingually deafened). The second is adults who lost their hearing from birth or in early childhood (pre-lingually deafened), AND are able to communicate through speaking. In making candidacy decisions our program also evaluates:

• Auditory nerve integrity;
• Cochlear anatomy/pathology;
• Patient’s ability to undergo surgery;
• Patient’s expectations and motivation.

For auditory brainstem implant (ABI) candidacy, patients with Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2), or those with bilateral inner ear hearing losses who are not eligible for a cochlear implant may be appropriate. Patients must be 12 years or older with appropriate expectations. Extensive counselling and auditory training are critical to success.