Cochlear™ Implants
Independent support before, during and after the implant journey
At The Audiology Place, we support people who are considering, receiving, or living with a Cochlear™ implant, as well as those using conventional hearing aids.
We are a fully independent, family-run audiology clinic. We are not owned by a manufacturer, we have no sales targets, and we do not perform implant surgery. Instead, we work collaboratively with local ENT surgeons to act as your independent audiology partner before and after the implant pathway.
Our role is to ensure patients and referring clinicians have clear information, realistic expectations, and continuity of care across every stage of hearing loss management.
Our support for
Cochlear™ implants
At The Audiology Place,
we regularly work with patients who may be candidates for a Cochlear implant,
as well as those already implanted.
We support patients by:
- Identifying possible cochlear implant candidacy when well-fitted hearing aids are no longer providing sufficient benefit.
- Providing pre-referral counselling, helping adults and families understand:
- What a cochlear implant is (and what it is not)
- What surgery and activation involve
- What questions to ask the implant team
- Working collaboratively with ENT surgeons, while continuing to manage:
- Hearing aids in the non-implanted ear (bimodal fittings)
- Overall communication needs
- Ongoing hearing health and family support
We remain independent
throughout this process, offering objective advice focused on
outcomes, not devices.
1. Initial audiology
review
Can be arranged at The Audiology Place:
- Comprehensive case history and otoscopy
- Full diagnostic audiometry
- Speech testing in quiet and in noise
- Functional assessment of current hearing aids
2. ENT / implant surgeon
assessment
- Medical examination
- Imaging and suitability assessment
- Discussion of unilateral vs bilateral implantation
3. Further Cochlear
implant assessment
- Further audiological testing
- Discussion of lifestyle, life stage and hearing priorities
- Practical questions around reliability, durability, MRI compatibility, upgrades, phone use, music, water exposure and work or school environments
4. Surgery and
activation
- You have a Day-stay or overnight surgery under general anaesthetic
- We “switch-on” the processor around 10–14 days post-surgery
- Multiple mapping and rehabilitation appointments
Ongoing rehabilitation
and care
- Regular review with The Audiology Place
- Community-based audiology support, including:
- Hearing aid management in the non-implanted ear
- Communication strategies
- Liaison with workplaces and families
Our role at The
Audiology Place
As an independent audiology clinic, we provide continuity before and after implantation.
Comprehensive assessment
- Adult Cochlear implant assessments
- Detailed audiological assessment
- Review of existing devices with real-ear verification
Decision support and
counselling
- Clear explanation of results and realistic expectations
- Independent discussion of hearing aids versus implantable options
- Use of Cochlear’s own question frameworks to help patients prepare for specialist appointments
Coordination with ENT
- Detailed referral letters and direct communication
- Shared-care following implantation
- Support for bimodal fittings, troubleshooting and family education
Independent care. Clear guidance. Ongoing support. At The Audiology Place, we see cochlear implantation not as a hand-off, but as one part of a longer hearing health journey. Our role is to support patients, and the Audiologists who care for them, with clarity, evidence-based guidance and continuity at every stage
How we communicate with
referrers
For every patient
referred to us, we provide:
- A written audiology report with findings, diagnosis and recommendations
- Clear identification of when cochlear implant assessment should be considered
- Notification of any red flags requiring urgent ENT review
- Updates on major milestones such as implantation, activation or significant outcome changes
We are always happy to discuss complex cases by phone or email — particularly when it’s unclear whether optimised hearing aids, implant assessment, or both are the appropriate next steps.
When to consider referral to The Audiology Place for Cochlear implant assessment
Referral may be appropriate for:
- Adults with significant hearing challenges
- “I can hear but can’t understand” complaints
- Limited benefit from hearing aids, listening fatigue or social withdrawal
Patients who may now be candidates for cochlear implantation and would benefit from independent audiological review and counselling