Cochlear Implants
by Cochlear Guest Author

Expanding Insurance Coverage of Cochlear Implants for Single-Sided Deafness

July 13, 2023
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On January 10, 2022, the FDA approved an expansion of the Cochlear™ Nucleus® System indications to include Single Sided Deafness and Unilateral Hearing Loss (SSD/UHL) for individuals 5 years and older. 

Every year, about 60,000 people in the United States acquire SSD. 1  UHL/SSD can impact an individual’s quality of life, including mental fatigue because of increased listening effort, as well as impacting understanding of speech in noise and localizing where sounds are coming from.2,3,4,5,6 

Aligning with our company mission, a goal of the Cochlear Market Access team is to help more people hear by removing barriers to accessing implantable hearing solutions. We are pleased to announce a major milestone within the commercial payer landscape for CI for SSD/UHL:

Policy adoption begins with clinical providers who are willing to passionately advocate for coverage on behalf of their patients. Communicating to payers the need to expand coverage policies occurs in various ways not the least of which is the need that is emphasized with every prior authorization request, peer to peer conversation, and completed level of appeal. The collaborative effort of providers across the nation who embraced the cause emphasized an unmet need and accelerated the time from the Cochlear FDA approval to policy adoption at both the national and local levels. Below is a sample of the commercial payer landscape which recently expanded coverage to their members.*

Reaching this milestone in coverage does not conclude our effort in closing the gap in coverage. Cochlear’s Market Access team invites and welcomes all providers to partner with us on the journey to help more people hear.  Please visit the Reimbursement HUB for your local Regional Reimbursement Manager’s contact information and additional resources.

*Coverage may vary by specific plan.  Providers and members should contact their insurance plans to determine coverage according to their benefit plan design.

Information provided by Cochlear Americas regarding insurance coverage or reimbursement is provided as guidance only and is not intended as reimbursement or legal advice. Cochlear Americas makes no representation or warranty regarding such information or its completeness, accuracy, fitness for a particular purpose, or that following such guidance will result in any form of coverage or reimbursement from any insurer. Information presented is subject to change at any time. To be sure that you have the most current and applicable information available for your unique circumstances, please consult your own experts and seek your own legal advice regarding your reimbursement needs. In all cases, products or services billed must be medically necessary, actually performed and appropriately documented in the medical record.

1. Weaver, J. (Web. 28 April 2017). “Single-Sided Deafness: Causes, and Solutions, Take Many Forms.”. Hearing Jornal, 68.3 (2015).

2. Buss E, Dillon MT, Rooth MA et al. Effects of Cochlear Implantation on Binaural Hearing in Adults with Unilateral Hearing Loss. Trends Hear 2018; 22:2331216518771173

3. Firszt JB, Reeder RM, Holden LK, Dwyer NY, Asymmetric Hearing Study T. Results in Adult Cochlear Implant Recipients with Varied Asymmetric Hearing: A Prospective Longitudinal Study of Speech Recognition, Localization, and Participant Report. Ear Hear 2018; 39:845-862.

4. Tavora-Vieira D, Rajan GP, Van de Heyning P, Mertens G. Evaluating the Long-Term Hearing Outcomes of cochlear Implant Users with Single-sided Deafness. Otol Neurotol 2019;40:e575-e580.

5. Dillon MT, Buss E, Anderson MLet al. Cochlear Implantation in Cases of Unilateral hearing loss: Initial Localization Abilities. Ear Hear 2017; 38-611-619.

6. Dillon MT, Buss E, Rooth MA et al. Effect of Cochlear Implantation on Quality of Life in Adults with Unilateral Hearing Loss. Audiol Neurootol 2017; 22:259-271.

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Cochlear Guest Author

In an effort to keep our content fresh and reflective of a diverse industry, Cochlear Americas features a mix of employees and professional partners to contribute to Cochlear ProNews as Guest Authors.

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Nucleus® 7 Sound Processor: the smallest and lightest cochlear implant sound processor coil

May 9, 2018

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The Nucleus® 7 is the world’s only Made for iPhone1 cochlear implant sound processor. In fact, it is 25 percent smaller and 24 percent lighter than the previous generation Nucleus 6 Sound Processor.2 Making the Nucleus 7 the smallest and lightest cochlear implant sound processor available. In many cases, a smaller device can have a negative impact on battery life; however, we have incorporated a more power efficient chip so the smaller than ever Nucleus 7 actually improves battery life by up to 50%.3

N7 smallest and lightest CI coilThe Nucleus 7 Sound Processor features the Cochlear Slimline™ Coil, a new ultra-compact all-in-one coil and cable. This coil is lighter and offers a lower profile than previous sound processors, which is designed to provide greater comfort – especially when wearing a hat or helmet. In a recent clinical trial, 86 percent of users rated the Nucleus 7 Sound Processor more comfortable than their previous or current sound processor.4

 

Download the Nucleus® 7 Sound Processor User Guide .

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References:
  1. Apple Inc. Use Made for iPhone hearing aids [Internet]. Apple support. 2017 [cited 24 February 2017]. Available from: https://support.apple.com/en-au/HT201466 (Subject to change at time of launch).
  2. Cochlear Limited. D1190805. CP1000 Processor Size Comparison. 2017, Mar; Data on file.
  3. Cochlear Limited. D1140877. Battery Life and Power Consumption Comparison between CP1000, CP900 Series and CP810 Sound Processors. 2017, Mar; Data on file.
  4. Cochlear Limited. D1182081. CLTD 5620 Clinical Evaluation of Nucleus 7 Cochlear Implant System. 2017, Mar; Data on file.
Apple, the Apple logo, iPhone,and iPod touch are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc.
The Nucleus 7 Sound Processor is compatible with iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone 8, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 7, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6, iPhone SE, iPhone 5s, iPhone 5c, iPhone 5, iPad Pro (12.9-inch), iPad Pro (9.7-inch), iPad Air 2, iPad Air, iPad mini 4, iPad mini 3, iPad mini 2, iPad mini, iPad (4th generation) and iPod touch (6th generation) using iOS 10.0 or later.

 

Upgrade benefits and advancements in cochlear implant sound processor technology

August 28, 2020

By Camille C Dunn, PhD, CCC-A, Director of Cochlear Implants in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Iowa

Interested in talking with your patients about the benefits of upgrading their sound processor? Check out this article by Camille Dunn and share with your patients to start the conversation! 

Advancements in cochlear implant sound processor technology have significantly contributed to improving the quality of life for cochlear implant recipients. Three important improvements in technology include wear-ability, streaming/connectivity and sound processing.

Wear-ability

Commonly, improvements in technology often result in smaller, lower profile devices that sit more comfortably on the head. Smaller devices might not necessarily improve hearing outcomes directly, but they can lead to improved wear time, which is a vital factor. Additionally, upgraded devices might offer longer battery time or different battery charging capabilities.

Some of the newer processors do not even sit on the back of the ear or have cables to manipulate. They are all-in-one processors that sit directly on the implant magnet site where the headpiece attaches to the internal device. Like the behind-the-ear processors, these devices come in multiple colors to blend with hair and skin color. It’s important to note that the all-in-one processors do not allow for combined processing for all Cochlear products. That is, the recipient will only receive electrical stimulation from their processor and not combined electrical and acoustic processing in the same ear.

Did someone say swimming? The newest sound processors also have an impressive water resistance rating which translates into sweat-proof and splash-proof capabilities especially useful in high humidity areas. For those who enjoy water activities, accessories are available that protect the sound processor while swimming, snorkeling, surfing or fishing.*

Streaming and connectivity

 People love to be connected, which is why they might want to upgrade their sound processor. Newer technology offers direct streaming capabilities with compatible Apple® or Android™ smartphones. Recipients can stream phone calls, music, movies and other media directly from a compatible smartphone to their sound processor(s) without the need for an intermediate device, such as a phone clip.

Recipients are especially enthusiastic about the technology that allows streaming to both ears – bimodal use with a compatible ReSound hearing aid and bilateral cochlear implant. This is huge! Benefits for listening with two ears can include improved ease of listening and better speech understanding.

Recipients often appreciate the versatile wireless accessories. For example, the Mini Microphone 2+ provides improved speech understanding in noisy situations or where distance from the speaker is a factor. This technology can help cochlear implant users feel less socially isolated while dining at a restaurant, riding in a car, listening to a presenter at a meeting, classroom or place of worship. Speech is streamed to the recipient via their sound processor after clipping the Mini Mic 2+ to the collar of the talker or even placed on the table. Further, the TV Streamer sends stereo sound from the television directly to the sound processor. This provides the recipient with improved understanding of what is being said without compromising the sound level to other companions who might be watching the same television program.

Sound processing

 Cochlear implant recipients benefit from advanced sound processing technology that evaluates the sound environment and automatically adjusts settings on the processor for optimal hearing. For a newly upgraded recipient, speech and sound may initially be perceived as “different.” Patience, persistence and listening practice are key as the brain adjusts to new sound processing, which in the long run, will provide better access to sound and improved speech understanding in noisy situations. As people go about their day in different listening environments, automatic adjustments optimize the user hearing experience by reducing background noise and wind noise, improving speech clarity and enhancing music.

Staying connected with loved ones and friends, relaxing to music and movies, working and homeschooling from home, while remaining informed by listening to news on a smartphone, TV and computer are more important than ever these days as we navigate social distancing and survive the many personal and economic challenges due to COVID-19. The value of upgrading to new technology and staying current with the versatile accessories can improve quality of life for cochlear implant recipients.

For more information, visit our website and subscribe to Cochlear ProNews.

This article expresses the experience and opinions of Camille Dunn.

Apple, the Apple logo, FaceTime, Made for iPad logo, Made for iPhone logo, Made for iPod logo, iPhone, iPad Pro, iPad Air, iPad mini, iPad and iPod touch are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.

App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.

Android and Google Play are registered trademarks of Google Inc.

The Android robot is reproduced or modified from work created and shared by Google and used according to terms described in the Creative Commons 3.0 Attribution License.

The Cochlear Nucleus Smart App is available on App Store and Google Play. For complete smartphone compatibility information, please visit www.cochlear.com/compatibility.

*The Nucleus 7 Sound Processor with Aqua+ is water resistant to level IP68 of the International Standard IEC60529. This water protection means that the sound processor with the Aqua+ can be continuously submerged under water to a depth of 3 meters (9 ft and 9 in) for up to 2 hours. This water protection only applies when you use a Cochlear Standard Rechargeable Battery Module or Cochlear Compact Rechargeable Battery Module. The Kanso Sound Processor is water resistant to level IP54 of the International Standard IEC60529. The Kanso Sound Processor with the Aqua+ is water resistant to level IP68 of the International Standard when used with LR44 alkaline or nickel metal hydride disposable batteries.

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This material is intended for health professionals. If you are a consumer, please seek advice from your health professional about treatments for hearing loss. Outcomes may vary, and your health professional will advise you about the factors which could affect your outcome. Always read the instructions for use. Not all products are available in all countries. Please contact your local Cochlear representative for product information.

 

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