Gregory J. Artz, MD, Assistant professor of otolaryngology – head and neck surgery, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital discusses the benefits of cochlear implant surgery among elderly patients with hearing loss that cannot be addressed by hearing aids.

Summary:
1. Over the last decade, cochlear implantation surgery has revolutionized hearing rehabilitation in patients with presbyacusis.
2. Unilateral or bilateral cochlear implantation can be used when hearing aids are no longer an option, and can restore hearing to the point where patients can speak on the telephone in 80%-90% of cases.
3. The $40,000 to $50,000 cost of cochlear implant surgery is usually paid by insurance provided the audiometric data associated with the patient meet certain criteria.

Further reading: Viccaro M. et al. The importance of intra-operative imaging during cochlear implant surgery. Cochlear Implants Int. Feb. 2009. PMID19197917.

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