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Cochlear Implant Assessment & Support Services
For some people with significant hearing loss, hearing aids may no longer provide enough clarity to understand speech and communicate comfortably. In these circumstances, a cochlear implant may be worth considering.
At Narangba Station Health Centre, we provide cochlear implant assessment and ongoing audiological support in partnership with Audiwell. A cochlear implant works differently from a hearing aid. Rather than simply making sounds louder, it bypasses damaged parts of the inner ear and uses electrical stimulation to send sound information to the hearing nerve.
The first step is a detailed assessment with an audiologist to understand your hearing, how much benefit you currently receive from hearing aids and whether further cochlear implant evaluation may be appropriate.
To make an appointment, please call us on (07) 3521 5523 to speak with reception or click the below to book directly online.
Cochlear Implant Support
An assessment does not mean committing to surgery.
Your journey begins with a comprehensive audiological assessment to determine suitability. Where appropriate, your audiologist can then work alongside your GP, ENT surgeon and other members of your hearing care team to support you through the next stages of assessment, implantation, activation and ongoing care.
Cochlear Implant Benefits
Cochlear implants can provide improved access to sound for some people with significant sensorineural hearing loss who receive limited benefit from hearing aids. Whilst individual outcomes vary and depend on a range of factors including your hearing history, hearing loss, previous hearing aid use and rehabilitation, typically, patients experience the following benefits:
Improved Speech Access
Cochlear implants may provide better access to speech sounds; making conversations easier to understand when hearing aids no longer provide enough benefit.
Greater General Awareness
A cochlear implant may improve access to environmental sounds, helping some recipients become more aware of sounds occurring around them.
Support For Communication
Improved access to sound can support communication at home, work, school and in social environments, although the benefit experienced varies between individuals.
Long-Term Hearing Option
Cochlear implants are designed as a long-term hearing aid solution, supported by ongoing programming, rehabilitation and audiological follow-up after implantation.
Could a cochlear implant be suitable for you?
Cochlear implant suitability is determined individually through specialist assessment. You do not need to know whether you qualify before making an appointment. An assessment may be worthwhile if you or your child experience significant hearing difficulties despite appropriately fitted hearing aids including:
01
Hearing aids are no longer providing enough clarity
You may hear sounds through your hearing aids but continue to have difficulty understanding speech clearly.
02
You have significant sensorineural hearing loss
Cochlear implants are generally considered for people whose hearing loss involves damage within the inner ear and who receive limited benefit from conventional hearing aids.
03
Conversations remain difficult
Even with hearing aids, you may struggle to follow conversations, particularly when there are several speakers or background noise.
04
You rely heavily on visual cues
You may depend on lip-reading, facial expressions or other visual information to understand speech despite using hearing aids.
05
Your hearing has progressively deteriorated
If hearing aids that previously worked well are becoming less effective as your hearing changes, further assessment may be appropriate.
06
You want to understand your options
An assessment can help you understand whether your current hearing aids remain appropriate and whether a cochlear implant or another hearing solution warrants further investigation.
Fees & Medicare
The cost of cochlear implant assessment and ongoing care can vary depending on the testing required and your individual treatment pathway.
Medicare Rebates
Medicare rebates may be available for eligible assessments when referral requirements are met. Private health insurance or other funding arrangements may also contribute to certain parts of cochlear implant treatment depending on your eligibility and level of cover.
If you would like to discuss fees, referral requirements or available funding options, please call reception on (07) 3521 5523.
What to expect?
Your first appointment focuses on understanding your hearing condition and whether a cochlear implant may be appropriate.
Your audiologist will review your hearing history, discuss the difficulties you experience and complete detailed testing, including how much benefit you currently receive from your hearing aids.
If a cochlear implant may be suitable, your results and next steps will be explained clearly with further assessments involving an ENT surgeon, medical review and imaging before a final decision is made. If you proceed with the surgery, ongoing audiology appointments will support activation, programming and adjustment to the implant.
Support throughout your cochlear implant journey
At Narangba Station Health Centre, cochlear implant services are provided in partnership with Audiwell, an independent audiology provider. Your audiologist can assess your hearing, determine how effectively your current hearing aids are supporting you and explain whether further cochlear implant evaluation may be appropriate.
Where implantation is recommended, we work collaboratively with GPs, ENT surgeons and other professionals involved in your care, with ongoing audiological support available.
Here’s why patients choose our Audiology services:
New Patients Welcome
Unbiased Brand Selection
On-Time & Convenient
On-Site Free Parking
Mixed Billing Practice
Specialist Audiologist
Local Pharmacy Next Door
First Class Healthcare
Cochlear Implants vs Hearing Aids
Whilst both hearing aids and cochlear implants are both designed to improve access to sound, they work in very different ways.
A hearing aid amplifies sound so that the remaining hearing system can detect it more effectively. For many people with hearing loss, appropriately fitted hearing aids provide significant benefit and are the primary option.
However, a cochlear implant may be considered when hearing aids are no longer providing adequate access to speech. Instead of simply amplifying sound, the implanted system converts sound into electrical signals that stimulate the hearing nerve.
A cochlear implant does not restore normal hearing, and hearing through an implant can initially sound different from natural hearing. The brain needs time to learn how to interpret the new signals, which is why programming, rehabilitation and follow-up are an important part of the cochlear implant journey.
If you are finding that even well-fitted hearing aids no longer provide enough clarity, a cochlear implant assessment can help determine whether an implant or another hearing solution should be considered.
Cochlear Implant FAQs
Cochlear Implant Assessments
If hearing aids are no longer giving you or your child enough access to clear speech, a cochlear implant assessment can help you understand the options available and whether further specialist evaluation may be appropriate.
Our cochlear implant assessment and audiology services are available at Narangba Station Health Centre midweek in partnership with Audiwell. To make a booking, please use one of the following options below:
Can’t find us? – We are situated across the road from Narangba Train Station next to the Narangba Village shopping complex. Look for signs for Narangba Health Centre and IGA.
Serving patients in Narangba, Burpengary, Dakabin, Deception Bay, Morayfield, North Lakes and North Brisbane surrounds
Easy Online Appointment Booking
Narangba Station health Centre uses the AutoMed platform for online appointment bookings.
Patients can also access bookings via the AMS Connect mobile app.
