By 1st Lt. Jennifer Tay
What do conservative talk-show host Rush Limbaugh and former Miss America Heather Whitestone have in common with many patients seen at the Audiology Service at Wilford Hall Medical Center? These two celebrities were recently in the news because each elected to receive a cochlear implant.
A cochlear implant is an electro-magnetic amplification device that allows profoundly deafened individuals to hear. This device is often the only way for these individuals to regain hearing. Fortunately, the same gift of hearing that Mr. Limbaugh and Mrs. Whitestone received is now available to all military dependents and retirees with the Wilford Hall Medical Center Cochlear Implant Program. The only one of its kind in the Air Force, it provides cochlear implant Cochlear implant program gives the gift of hearing surgery, audiology and speech services, and medical support for potential candidates and their families.
Cochlear implants are hearing devices implanted within the inner ear, and are appropriate for people with profound deafness who no longer benefit from hearing aids. The surgery consists of inserting an electrode array into the cochlea (the organ of hearing located in the inner ear) to make direct contact with nerve cells. Patients return one week later for initial stimulation of the device. When the device is turned on, sound is picked up by a tiny microphone connected by a cord to a sound processor outside the ear. The processor turns sound into an electrical signal, transmitting it through the skin to the electrode array in the cochlea.
Wilford Hall Medical Center has been involved with cochlear implants since the early 1980’s. In Fall 2001, under the direction of Col Ben Sierra and Maj (Dr.) Drew Horlbeck, the program was completely restructured and a cochlear implant board was established. The board process ensures implantation is offered to candidates with realistic expectations, good prognosis for full function and high probability of receiving maximum benefit from the implant.
The board is comprised of experts in audiology, speech pathology, developmental pediatrics, social work, psychology, and an education specialist. It evaluates all potential candidates to determine hearing status, speech ability, social and psychological concerns, and surgical compatibility. A battery of tests is required to determine cochlear implant candidacy.
In December 2001, a unique situation presented to the WHMC Cochlear Implant Program when an active duty Master Sergeant with sudden hearing loss was evaluated for a cochlear implant. One of our great success stories, Master Sgt. John T. Hawk, received a cochlear implant and was able to return to his unit and continued performing his assigned duties.
In the past when an active duty airman was diagnosed with profound hearing loss, the member would be medically retired. Sergeant Hawk continues to perform his normal duties while he waits for the medical evaluation board process to be completed. Based on his excellent performance with the cochlear implant and his ability to communicate it is anticipated that the Air Force will retain one of its valuable assets…an active duty master sergeant with more than 18 years of experience, training, and expertise.
The WHMC Cochlear Implant program follows all FDA-recommended guidelines for cochlear implantation. In the last 12 months, we have performed 17 implant surgeries, and an additional five individuals are currently in the process of being evaluated. Based on current demand, more than 24 cases are projected by the end of fiscal year 2003.
The Department of Defense saves approximately $7,000 to $10,000 per implant by having the implant performed at WHMC. The cost savings to TRICARE for surgical and rehabilitative costs is estimated to be $25,000 per implant (versus implantation at a civilian facility). With the current demand for cochlear implants, the cost of the devices will be reduced by approximately 10 percent per unit as we take advantage of bulk purchase discounts. A cochlear implant represents a tremendous investment in medical resources and manpower; however, recent research compiled by Johns Hopkins University demonstrated a net savings to society of more than $53,000 per hearing-impaired child implanted (savings for adults were somewhat lower).
Cochlear implantation has consistently ranked among the most cost-effective medical procedures for improved quality of life. A cochlear implant can bring a deaf child or adult into the hearing world, translating into an extraordinary life changing experience for the patient, as well as their family.
For more information regarding the Wilford Hall Medical Center Cochlear Implant Program, please contact the WHMC Cochlear Implant Program at DSN 554-5677 or (210) 292-5677. More information can be found at bionicear.com or cochlearamericas.com.