The Rehab at Home for Adults video series was created to support cochlear implant (CI) recipients when in-person rehabilitation services were limited. Today, this 13-part series, which is captioned in up to eight languages, continues to be a valuable resource for professionals and cochlear implant users, offering support for every stage of the hearing journey.

1. Inspire Cochlear Implant Candidates

Introducing potential CI candidates to the “stars” of the series can provide reassurance and motivation. Each story offers a unique perspective:

• John, a music industry professional, struggled with progressive hearing loss before receiving his implant.
• Trudi, born with hearing loss, chose a CI after the birth of her child.
• Soomaiya, who experienced sudden hearing loss, relies on her CI to parent her three daughters.
• Mary-Jane, with single-sided deafness from Meniere’s disease, opted for a CI as a safeguard for future hearing loss.

The uniqueness of these narratives can help candidates relate to others’ journeys. Doing so may help them feel more confident in their decision-making.

2. Guide Newly Activated CI Recipients

New cochlear implant users are often eager to begin their rehabilitation journey. The video series offers relatable examples of how others set and achieved listening goals through everyday activities.

Start with the foundational goal: wearing the audio processor all day. 43% of CI users reported not receiving guidance on processor wear time—yet this is critical for success.Holder, J. T., Mayberry, L. S., & Gifford, R. (2022). The Cochlear Implant Use Questionnaire: Assessing Habits and Barriers to Use. Otology & Neurotology, 43(1), e23–e29. https://doi.org/10.1097/mao.0000000000003341[1]

You may find it beneficial to use the expectations questionnaire to structure early conversations and help recipients plan their home-based listening practice using some of MED-EL’s free rehabilitation downloads.

3. Motivate Recipients During Follow-Up Appointments

Routine mapping appointments are ideal opportunities to revisit rehabilitation goals. Patients who felt their audiologist took a holistic approach reported greater satisfaction.Harris, M. S., Capretta, N. R., Henning, S. C., Feeney, L., Pitt, M. A., & Moberly, A. C. (2016). Postoperative Rehabilitation Strategies Used by Adults With Cochlear Implants: A Pilot Study. Laryngoscope Investigative Otolaryngology, 1(3), 42–48. https://doi.org/10.1002/lio2.20[2]

It may be helpful to use the 12 Everyday Listening Goals from the video series to guide collaborative goal-setting. These goals are practical, achievable, and tailored to individual needs.

Explore the goals and a related blog post written for adult recipients here: Rehab at Home for Adults: Mastering Everyday Listening Goals.

4. Encourage Family and Friends to Get Involved

Rehabilitation is a team effort. MED-EL’s Adult Rehabilitation Kits (ARKs) are free, printable, and downloadable rehabilitation activities that provide recipients with listening practice.

The ‘Rehab at Home’ video series highlights other ways families can actively support their loved ones:

• Donna emphasizes pacing and goal-setting to avoid burnout.
• Nick helps Mary-Jane develop sound localization skills.
• Reece and Indi engage in music listening and structured practice.
• Soomaiya’s daughters participate in exercises that build their listening confidence.

For more ideas, here is a blog article you can share with your patient’s family members: Five Ways Family Members Can Support Hearing Implant Recipients.

5. Explain the Ling Six Sound Test to All Hearing Technology Users

The Ling Six Sound Test, developed by Daniel Ling in the 1970s, remains a cornerstone of auditory checks. It helps determine whether hearing technology provides access to the full range of speech sounds.

Use the Ling Six Sound Test to:

• Monitor CI performance at home.
• Demonstrate hearing aid limitations during candidacy evaluations.
• Educate families and caregivers on how to support auditory access.

Watch John and Donna demonstrate the test here:

Additional Rehabilitation Resources for Adult Cochlear Implant Recipients

Self-Training Listening Skills at Home With a Cochlear Implant

The Rehab at Home for Adults video series playlist is available for free on YouTube and covers:

1. What Is the Ling Six Sound Test?
2. How to Wear Your Audio Processor Every Day
3. Improving Awareness of Environmental Sounds
4. Understanding Conversations in Quiet
5. Overhearing Conversation
6. Understanding Conversation in Small Groups
7. Understanding Conversation in Social Situations
8. Understanding Conversation in the Car
9. Understanding Speech at a Distance
10. Understanding Phone Conversations
11. Enhancing Music Enjoyment
12. Understanding Complex Speech
13. Hearing TV Clearly

Professionals can navigate to our rehabilitation download center to find all of our free Rehabilitation Downloads for Adults and Teens. Many are available in a variety of languages on our website, which you can easily use to filter and search for more useful resources.