Audiolgical Rehabilitation in a Rural Area

Introduction

Hearing is essential for interpersonal communication and decreases with age. Due to the aging of the population in Germany, this problem is increasingly becoming a challenge, especially since effects on cognitive abilities are possible.

Material and Methods

Retrospective analysis of the patients who received an active hearing implant from us in the broadest sense. The focus of the presentation is on the cochlear implants.

Results

At our clinic, inter alia the following implants were used: Sophono​, BAHA​, Carina​, OSIA​, Bonebridge​, Soundbridge and various cochlear implants (CI) from the manufacturers Advanced Bionics​, Cochlear​ and MED-El​. So far, 358 CI have been performed in patients aged 7/12 to 90 years. In the paper, the results are presented, with a special focus on the complications.

Conclusion

Especially in structurally weak rural areas, it is often a challenge for those affected to experience competent audiological rehabilitation close to home. Our experience shows that even under these conditions it is possible to establish a multi-professional program according to current medical requirements. CI care in particular requires comprehensive preoperative diagnostics and competent operative technology, above all, systematic postoperative rehabilitation and follow-up care, which is a prerequisite for achieving optimal results.

Conflict of Interest

The author declares that there is no conflict of interest.

Publication History

Article published online:
24 May 2022