What's the process for Cochlear implants at Mayo Clinic?

Posted by richardn @richardn, Feb 10, 2022

Hello.
I have been dealing w severe hearing loss, tinnitus and recruitment for 15 years or more. I’ve gone to ENTs and audiologists over the years. I’ve tried high end hearing aids w no help. Last time I was tested for CI eligibility I was not over the required threshold. Since, my hearing has gone from bad to really bad. I’m certain I would be a candidate now.
I live in the Sant Fe, NM area and I want to go to the Scottsdale facility to be evaluated and treated. What exactly is the process, who to contact to get started, and how many trips would be needed for a double CI?
Thank you 🙏

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Hearing Loss Support Group.

Julie, Volunteer Mentor | @julieo4 | Feb 11, 2022

There is a chapter of The Hearing Loss Assn. of America (HLAA) in Santa Fe. You may want to connect with them to ask the questions about where to go and how to get started. HLAA members are people with hearing loss who use hearing aids and/or cochlear implants to remain in the hearing mainstream. You can learn a lot from their experiences.

Santa Fe Chapter
Details: Meets 3rd Saturday of every month at 10 a.m. except for July, August, and December.
Location: Santa Fe Association of Realtors (in same strip center as Jinja Bar & Bistro)
510 N Guadalupe St
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501
Contact/s:
John Hooper johnhooper.ref@gmail.com
505-603-2994
GET DIRECTIONS › This information is available at: http://www.hearingloss.org under chapters

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Feb 20, 2022

Hi @richardn, Each of Mayo Clinic's campuses, including Scotsdale, has a specialized team that evaluates, treats and rehabilitates hearing loss. These teams include specialists in otolaryngology (ENT), audiology and speech pathology. A team of specialists in many areas works together to provide the most appropriate treatment for you.
You can read more here:
- Cochlear implants: Care at Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/cochlear-implants/care-at-mayo-clinic/pcc-20385023

To get started, you can self-refer for a consultation here: http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Feb 20, 2022

Hi again @richardn, I updated the title of this discussion to reflect the question you asked and to bring more people into the discussion.

Julie, who goes by the username @billchitwood, chronicles her experience with getting evaluated and getting cochlear implants at Mayo Clinic in this detailed discussion. I think you'll find her journey and the advice she got from member along the way an interesting read:
- Cochlear Implants: How well do they work at an older age https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/cochlear-implants/

Similarly, @lizzy102 journaled her CI experience with great insights
- My Cochlear Implant - a journal https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/my-cochlear-implant-a-journal/

Keep asking questions. As you can see there are many members with knowledge and experience with Cochlear impants who are willing to share. 🙂

Julie Chitwood | @billchitwood | Feb 21, 2022

For me it was truly an easy experience, especially since my daughter went with me. She was the one that could hear what they were saying easily. Masks have been the bane of my existence the past few years in trying to hear! Each step was explained fully and any questions we had were immediately answered. I loved being able to email a question on the portal rather than trying to put in a call (it can take a day or so to get an answer but I never was in a big hurry). Being 81 I was concerned with surgery problems. They checked my health very well. Didn't take chances.

Family support is fantastic.

Best of success.