Children who receive cochlear implants late are unique. This article briefly describes hearing loss diagnosis and treatment guidelines for babies and young children, what is known about why some children are diagnosed or treated later as well as the impacts of unaddressed hearing loss. After that, we provide some rehabilitation recommendations for supporting this unique population of patients with cochlear implants.

What can be done when a three-year-old child’s listening and speaking skills stop showing signs of improvement? What strategies can rehabilitation specialists use when a young cochlear implant recipient has inconsistent auditory skills and a short attention span? This case study provides insights that may be relevant for speech-language therapists with similar patients.

A cochlear implant electrode serves not only as a crucial bridge between technology and nature that connects recipients to sound. The electrode array can significantly impact hearing outcomes. For instance, there is now growing consensus among researchers that stimulating more of the cochlea is associated with better speech perception and music appreciation. Here is the latest research you need to know to ensure each of your patients can benefit the most from their cochlear implant.

For some people with bilateral hearing loss, a hearing aid may provide enough amplification for one ear, but a cochlear implant may be appropriate for more severe hearing loss in the other ear. Aural rehabilitation can help these users get the most out of both hearing devices.

Play sounds can not only be used capture young children’s listening attention. They can also be a highly effective way to help children learn to process auditory information. By integrating them into your auditory rehabilitation practice, you can help kick-start their listening and language development while having fun.

The latest MAESTRO cochlear implant fitting software comes with some practical new features, including color-coded IFT heat maps. IFT results are measured in seconds, and you can see the impedance status intuitively at a single glance.