The Cochlear Implant Program at Riley at IU Health welcomes you to learn more about cochlear implantation (CI) and the services that our program offers. We are a team of expertly trained professionals who are partners in providing compassionate service and exceptional care to children with hearing loss.
Every patient and family considering CI will receive a cochlear implant evaluation. During this evaluation, your child's hearing (both with and without hearing aids) is measured. If your child is found to be an appropriate candidate for CI, radiological and surgical visits, as well as a cochlear implant orientation, are completed. During orientation, candidacy, realistic expectations, specifics about devices available and many other questions will be answered. The CI team welcomes any outstanding questions at this orientation.
Insurance coverage of cochlear implants varies depending on your insurance carrier. It is strongly recommended that you contact your carrier to determine if a cochlear implant is a covered benefit.
If the cochlear implant team determines that your child is a candidate for the procedure, please discuss questions about surgical insurance authorizations with the surgeon’s office.
Cochlear Implant Manufacturers
The Cochlear Implant Program at Riley at IU Health currently uses cochlear implants from three manufacturers. In alphabetical order and not in order of preference, these manufacturers are:
- Advanced Bionics
- Cochlear
- Med-EL
The CI team will discuss the devices in detail with you and your child in order to help determine what device may best fit your child's lifestyle and needs. On rare occasions, the CI team may recommend a specific device for a patient.
Our History of Excellence
Our program has a long-standing history as industry leaders in CI and related research. Our staff has conducted many highly influential research studies as a part of our long-standing commitment to advancements in the field of CI. The Cochlear Implant Program at Riley at IU Health remains a leader in this field of ever-changing technology. With over 1,500 patients cared for by our program, the experience and expertise provided by our implant team is invaluable.
The surgeons and audiologists that comprise our team continue to provide the highest quality care to all patients with cochlear implants. For this reason, our program is internationally recognized both as a clinical center and as a research resource for children with severe to profound hearing loss.
Conditions & Services
Services Offered
We offer a number of different Cochlear Implant Program services. Below are some, but not all, of the services that we provide. If you have a question about a specific service that is not listed here, please contact our program.
Doctors
and Locations
Doctors
Learn more about the experienced team that comprises the Cochlear Implant Program at Riley at IU Health.
Therapists
Locations
Locations
In addition to our primary hospital location at the Academic Health Center in Indianapolis, IN, we have convenient locations to better serve our communities throughout the state.
Riley Outpatient Center at IU Health
Pediatric Ear, Nose & Throat
575 Riley Hospital Dr
Indianapolis, IN 46202
Program Forms & Resources
Program Forms & Resources
The Cochlear Implant Program at Riley at IU Health provides the following forms for parents, healthcare providers and personnel. We have also curated relevant resources from other websites and provided links with brief descriptions of the information that is available.
Forms
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Pediatric Medical And Audiological History (Riley at IU Health)
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Therapy Questionnaire Birth To 3 Years Old (Riley at IU Health)
Resources
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Information for Patients and Families (Riley at IU Health).
Learn more about life with a cochlear implant.
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Information for Teachers and Other School Professionals (Riley at IU Health).
The Cochlear Implant Program shares useful information for teachers and other school professionals about students who use cochlear implants.
Related Departments
Related Departments
Learn more about the departments that are associated with the Cochlear Implant Program.
Related Stories
Related Stories
Watch as Carter Hears Sounds for the First Time!
Watch as Carter hears sounds for the first time!
Continue readingHealth Professionals
For Health Professionals
To refer a patient into the Cochlear Implant Program, contact our intake coordinator (the “front door” to the program).
Refer A Patient
Riley at IU Health works with referring physicians in Indiana and beyond.
Refer A PatientResearch
Visit the Department of Otololaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at Indiana University School of Medicine for information about the latest research in cochlear implants.
Education
The Cochlear Implant Program at Riley at IU Health is involved with education and research efforts through the Indiana University School of Medicine. Residents and students who are training in the Cochlear Implant Program are heavily involved in research efforts, which include improving outcomes for patients through evolving care practices.