Given the unparalleled range of high-quality hearing aids, implantable hearing systems (middle ear implants, direct acoustic cochlear stimulators, etc.) and cochlear implants available at MHH’s Department of Otorhinolaryngology, it is vital to bear in mind that it is possible to achieve good speech understanding in background noise with today’s state-of-the-art auditory systems. It is on the basis of our thorough diagnostics that we recommend the hearing system we feel is right for you.

It is therefore crucial to conduct hearing tests, among other differential diagnostic procedures, which stand comparison with already implanted patients.

We perform these audiological differential diagnostic procedures during the first one-day assessment on an outpatient basis, and give a sound recommendation as to whether or not implantation (especially cochlear implantation) is possible. After this first assessment and consultation, the patient will be in a position to choose a cochlear implant.

As a rule, children suffering from hearing loss in both ears undergo bilateral cochlear implantation. This can also be recommended for adults with bilateral severe to profound hearing loss or deafness. If the hearing loss is unilateral, cochlear implants are now a good alternative to systems with contralateral routing of signals (CROS). Special implants are also available for individuals with high-frequency hearing.

As soon as you have decided to undergo cochlear implantation, please let us know

Please use our contact form, we will send you a date for your surgery.

At the end of the preoperative assessment, a final meeting will be held with Professor Thomas Lenarz (Director of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology) or his deputy. All evaluations and findings – including those obtained elsewhere (or earlier) – will be reviewed and taken into consideration for the overall assessment. A decision regarding further action (e. g. cochlear implantation) will be reached in conjunction with you. This does not mean that you have to decide straight away, but we will clearly state whether or not we feel cochlear implantation is a viable option for you. Of course, the final decision is up to you. It is our duty to tell you, on the basis of our extensive preoperative assessment, what the prospects are of your developing optimally enhanced hearing with a cochlear implant. If unresolved questions remain, further examinations may be necessary or additional external documents or findings may have to be obtained. A new outpatient appointment in our department may then be necessary. However, this is the exception and not the rule.

When we have established that – based on anatomical and medical criteria – cochlear implantation can go ahead, the surgery is performed after the final assessment. The operation is carried out under general anaesthetic and usually takes around 2-3 hours. An X-ray verifies that the electrode is correctly positioned in the inner ear. We always take the greatest care to ensure that the inner ear structures are protected and preserved.

Hearing loss acquired after meningitis usually necessitates immediate bilateral implantation before meningitis-induced ossification of the cochlea sets in.

Lifelong follow-up medical examinations carried out by ENT specialists are necessary to detect and treat typical complications, such as local swelling and skin irritation under the magnet or injuries of the ear canal and eardrum, as soon as possible.

In children: simultaneous bilateral cochlear implantation is possible at MHH

The purpose of the preoperative assessment, which usually takes three days and is carried out on an inpatient basis, is to find out if your child meets the requirements for cochlear implant (CI) surgery.

This includes:

• Evaluation of inner ear damage
• Evaluation of the inner ear in terms of requirements for electrode insertion
• Testing of residual hearing (is it insufficient for speech understanding despite hearing aid fitting, so that the child is unable to acquire speech?)

Not only is the child’s medical suitability for implantation evaluated, but an assessment from a speech and language therapist’s perspective is also carried out. The parents will have a consultation session in close collaboration with the ‘Wilhelm Hirte’ Cochlear Implant Center in Hannover and early-intervention therapists at home. A preoperative interview with a technician is also scheduled.

To conclude the preoperative assessment process, a final meeting is held with Professor Thomas Lenarz (Director of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology) or his deputy. All evaluations and findings – including those obtained elsewhere (or earlier) – will be reviewed and taken into consideration for the overall assessment., A decision in favour or against implantation will be reached in conjunction with you (the parents). This does not mean that you have to decide straight away, but we will clearly state whether or not we feel cochlear implantation is a viable option for your child. Of course, the final decision is up to you. It is our duty to tell you, on the basis of our extensive preoperative assessment, what the prospects are of your child’s developing optimally enhanced hearing with a cochlear implant. If unresolved questions remain, further examinations may be necessary or additional external documents or findings may have to be obtained. A new outpatient appointment in our department may then be necessary. However, this is the exception and not the rule.

Sometimes the decision must be postponed. To give an example: it may be that, at the time of the preoperative assessment, we cannot determine with absolute certainty whether your child still has any usable residual hearing left. In this case, optimal hearing aid fitting and further observation will bring greater clarity. As a rule, three months are sufficient.

Hearing loss acquired after meningitis or due to severe inner ear malformation usually necessitates immediate bilateral implantation before meningitis-induced ossification of the cochlea sets in. If a child has a severely malformed inner ear, it can be assumed that no residual hearing is left so that no further time should be lost in helping the child achieve optimal hearing and speech development.