Cochlear Implant: A life-changing device
Nov 15, 2021

Cochlear Implant: A life-changing device

On July 4, 2020, one little girl experienced a life-changing evening that some of us might take for granted. Do you ever find yourself ready to fall asleep on Independence Day but have trouble drifting off because the neighbor, two houses down, is still shooting off fireworks at 11:00pm? Most of us have been there, except those who cannot hear the fireworks. But this year was different for Emmalyn.


Emmalyn was born profoundly deaf. But Emmalyn is able to hear with the aid of cochlear implants. What are cochlear implants? Cochlear implants, which were approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) more than 40 years ago, are surgically implanted devices that provide sound representation to people who cannot benefit from hearing aids. The implants do not cure hearing impairment; rather, the device directly stimulates the auditory pathway. Cochlear implants replace the function of the damaged inner ear to provide sound signals to the brain for processing.


Cochlear implants have come a long way since the first recipient of the earliest version of the technology received an implant in 1977. In the more than 40 years since that revolutionary milestone, the precision of this technology and process has been fine-tuned, and more than 500,000 people with hearing loss have benefited from cochlear implants worldwide. As is often the case when technology advances, the devices are now smaller and smarter. They are comprised of two components, which work like this:


1) Internal electrode array. The internal electrode array is implanted by an ear, nose and throat surgeon, also called an otolaryngologist, into the inner ear.

2) External sound processor. The microphones on the external sound processor detect sounds and transfer those sounds through the skin to the internal electrode array. Two options are available for the external sound processor: a behind-the-ear option that sits atop the ear and looks similar to a traditional behind-the-ear hearing aid and an off-the-ear option. The internal electrode array then stimulates the auditory nerve directly and transmits the sound to the brain for processing.


Emmalyn has benefited from this breakthrough in technology since her first implant surgery just before her 1st birthday. But she has always had to adjust to going through periods of hearing and periods of deafness. This happens every night when she removes her external sound processors to go to sleep. This has created a hesitation in Emmalyn and a fear of loud, unexpected noises—the kind of noises fireworks would produce. But this year was different, and Emmalyn made a choice she has never made.


Emmalyn decided she wanted to hear what fireworks sounded like. This year Emmalyn left her external processors on. The joy on that child’s face when hearing fireworks for the first time and exclaiming, “They aren’t that loud!” and “It’s not that scary!” brought her parents to tears. And the life-changing technology and surgery of cochlear implants has made that possible. Emmalyn’s mother Nancy said, “I’m continually amazed at how this little girl finds so much joy in life and in the things that we often take for granted. She keeps us smiling and so full of joy while we get to share these special moments with her.”


“Since 2017, Johnson Audiology has provided support for cochlear implant patients by way of initial diagnostic evaluation and ongoing follow-up care,” says Megan Johnson, Au.D. and owner of Johnson Audiology. Dr. Johnson has been an audiologist for more than 17 years, and her experience as a cochlear fellow began as soon as she embarked on her career. She and Johnson Audiology’s Madison Sakaan, Au.D. serve cochlear implant patients through initial candidacy testing and through post-surgical ongoing care.


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Last autumn, access to cochlear implantation reached a new milestone in the Chattanooga area when Johnson Audiology teamed up with otolaryngology surgeons Dr. Doug Leining and Dr. Alex Sokohl from Associates in ENT to give Chattanoogans a complete continuum of care for cochlear implantation. With the surgery performed right here at Memorial Hospital in Chattanooga, cochlear implant patients no longer have to travel to Nashville or Atlanta to receive that component of their care. Cochlear implant surgery was an elective that was suspended for a time this spring because of COVID-19; despite that setback, multiple patients have moved forward with implantation.


Dr. Sakaan says, “Our cochlear implant program has really taken off. Patients are overjoyed that cochlear implantation and programming services are now offered locally in Chattanooga. At Johnson Audiology, evaluation for a cochlear implant is extremely comprehensive, as it should be. We perform a typical hearing test and then test the patient’s ability to understand spoken sentences while wearing hearing aids. When programming those hearing aids, we use real-ear measurements (REM), which is considered best practice, to ensure the hearing aids are optimally set. Qualification for a cochlear implant is then determined by the difficulty a patient has in understanding the spoken sentences when wearing hearing aids.”


While cochlear implants can be life-changing, it comes with its own set of challenges. It can take time for the patient to adjust as the brain “re-learns” the stimulation it is receiving from the implants. And the programming is subject to adjustments over the life of the device. Having an audiologist and Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) physician that you trust is key as a lifelong relationship is formed from the first consultation through every mapping, or programming, session after surgery. 

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Madison Sakaan, Au.D. (l) and Megan Johnson, Au.D. (r) work with cochlear implant patients at the Gunbarrel Road location of Johnson Audiology in Chattanooga.

“Helping patients with hearing loss and cochlear implants is my passion,” Dr. Sakaan goes on to say. “Being able to walk with my patients from day one when we evaluate for a cochlear implant, to the day of surgery, to initial activation of the implant, and through the hearing rehabilitation journey is the greatest honor. The team at Johnson Audiology and I are here to help patients during every step of their cochlear implant journey. I believe this is what makes our services here at Johnson Audiology so special. Patients' hearing and quality of life is our top priority, and it shines through in everything we do.”


Cochlear implants are a hearing loss solution for those with moderate to profound sensorineural hearing loss—also referred to as nerve hearing loss—who are receiving limited benefit from hearing aids, such as those who only hear half of what is said in a conversation. Cochlear implantation has become the established treatment for children as young as 12 months who have severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss. Cochlear implants are covered by Medicare, many insurance plans, and typically by Medicaid. However, those interested in cochlear implantation need to be aware that the FDA has set specific guidelines that audiologists and ENT surgeons must follow to determine a person’s candidacy.

 

For more information about cochlear implantation, contact Johnson Audiology’s Gunbarrel Road location in Chattanooga at 423.710.1432 or Associates in ENT at 423.267.6738.


By Jan Hollingsworth 09 Jan, 2024
Johnson Audiology is pleased to announce that the practice will be moving one of its Chattanooga area offices from its current location on Gunbarrel Road to a new location at 6830 Lee Highway. The move will take place January 15. “We are extremely excited to be re-locating to a much larger space later this month,” Dr. Megan Johnson, founder and owner of the award-winning practice, says. “About a year ago, we realized that we needed more room to meet the needs of our growing patient base so we could help even more people with hearing loss. We sought a place that would allow us to stay in the East Brainerd/Hamilton Place area so that the office would still be conveniently located for patients. Our Hixson office will remain at 5617 Highway 153, Suite 203 and is also being upgraded with a second sound booth and beautiful new decor. These two strategically located offices mean that we can continue to serve patients who live east and west of the Tennessee River.” Dr. Johnson says that when she identified the building on Lee Highway, she knew it was an ideal site for this next growth leap. “Our company culture is anchored on the premise of always offering an exceptional patient experience,” she says. “Thanks to our wonderful family of Johnson Audiology patients, we have outgrown our current office and have found the perfect location for offering the best care to even more of our Chattanooga neighbors.” The new location offers many positive features that will benefit patients: The office is conveniently located off Lee Highway in the area between Shallowford Road and Hickory Valley Road, directly behind Dr. Keith B. Dressler’s orthodontic practice. It is a stand-alone office that is not shared with any other businesses. The building is more than 4,000 square feet, which is double the space of the current office on Gunbarrel Road. The added square footage will accommodate a spacious patient welcome and reception area, three sound booths for hearing testing, and a private area for patient check-out. The building has exam rooms for four full time audiologists and an audiology assistant, a large front desk area, and a sizeable lab for hearing aid maintenance and repair. The office has ample space for the practice’s growing Cochlear Implant (CI) Program with a dedicated sound booth and exam area just for CI patients. The building design allows for easy circular patient flow throughout the office. The building has a dedicated, 20-space parking lot just for Johnson Audiology patients and additional parking for Johnson Audiology staff. Dr. Johnson mentions that the building was a non-medical office previously, so updates were needed to bring it up to par for a bustling hearing health care clinic. It currently is being remodeled, and the parking lot resurfaced. “We have plans to transition to the new building by January 15 with some final touches to the office’s aesthetics continuing through the spring,” she says.  Dr. Johnson wishes to assure folks that measures are in place to alleviate disruption to the service patients receive during this time and thanks patients in advance for their continued support and understanding during the transition. “The new office is going to be incredible!” she says. Initial correspondence has been delivered to patients about the move. Dr. Johnson says, “Patients who have appointments scheduled in early January or those who need walk-in service for hearing aid maintenance and supplies from now until January 15 should continue visiting the Gunbarrel Road location.” Dr. Johnson says, “In February, we will invite our friends and neighbors in the Chattanooga community to an open house celebration, where we will do an official reveal of the new space!” Johnson Audiology has been faithfully serving the citizens of Chattanooga since the practice opened its doors on October 1, 2009. “As we prepare to celebrate our 15th anniversary this year, the new office location on Lee Highway and the upgrades to the Hixson office are evidence of our commitment to patients.” Dr. Johnson goes on to say, “Chattanoogans have named Johnson Audiology Best of the Best in the category of Favorite Audiologist and Hearing Aid Clinic for 11 years straight. And they consistently name Johnson Audiology in the top three in the category of Best Customer Service among all Chattanooga businesses. We seek to live up to those accolades daily!” Dr. Johnson concludes, “One of our patients, Mr. Van Tenpenny, recently had this to say about us: ‘My visit to Johnson Audiology has been life changing! After decades of hearing loss, I am able to hear normal conversations in any environment.’ It is our highest ideal to be here for Mr. Tenpenny and the thousands of other patients like him who prioritize their hearing for the best quality of life.” Do you want to get on the road to healthy hearing? Johnson Audiology is currently accepting new patients at all locations. Call today to schedule an appointment or book online at www.johnsonaudiology.com/schedule.
15 Aug, 2023
Tinnitus, often described as a persistent ringing or buzzing sound in the ears, is a common auditory phenomenon that affects millions of people worldwide. While tinnitus is not a disease itself, it can be a symptom of an underlying issue. At Johnson Audiology, we are committed to helping you understand tinnitus and guiding you through the steps to manage this often-distressing condition. Understanding Tinnitus Tinnitus can vary in intensity and pitch, and it may present as a constant sound or come and go intermittently. It can be caused by a range of factors, including exposure to loud noise, age-related hearing loss, earwax blockage, and even certain medications. Tinnitus can impact your quality of life, leading to sleep disturbances, difficulty concentrating, and emotional distress. Steps to Manage Tinnitus Consult an Audiologist: If you're experiencing tinnitus, the first step is to seek professional help. A university-trained audiologist, a hearing health specialist, can conduct a comprehensive evaluation to determine the underlying cause of your tinnitus and its impact on your hearing. Identify Underlying Causes: Tinnitus often has an underlying cause, such as hearing loss, a medical condition, or exposure to loud noise. An audiologist can help identify these causes and recommend appropriate treatment options. Customized Treatment Plans: Based on the evaluation, your audiologist will develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. Treatment approaches may include: Hearing Aids: If hearing loss is contributing to your tinnitus, hearing aids can help by amplifying external sounds and reducing the perception of the tinnitus. More than 90% of those who have tinnitus, also, have hearing loss, even if the loss is mild. Sound Therapy: Sound therapy involves using external sounds, such as white noise or nature sounds, to mask or distract from the tinnitus noise. Counseling: Counseling and education can help you better understand tinnitus and learn coping strategies to manage its impact on your daily life. Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT): TRT combines sound therapy and counseling to help you habituate to the tinnitus and reduce its perception over time. Lifestyle Modifications: Your audiologist may recommend lifestyle changes, such as managing stress, avoiding loud noise exposure, and adopting healthy sleep habits. Monitor and Adjust: Tinnitus management is an ongoing process. Regular follow-up appointments with your audiologist allow for adjustments to treatment plans based on your progress and changing needs. Seek Support: Tinnitus can be emotionally distressing. It is important to seek support from friends, family, and even support groups where you can connect with others who are experiencing similar challenges. While tinnitus can be disruptive, understanding the condition and taking proactive steps to manage it can lead to improved quality of life. At Johnson Audiology, our dedicated team of audiologists is here to guide you through the journey of tinnitus management, providing the expertise and support you need to find relief and regain control over your hearing health. Contact us today to take the first step toward a more peaceful and harmonious auditory experience.
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