Today, Brandt got the appointment date for his Cochlear Implant evaluation: July 30. We’re not really sure what happened, but it took a month after his appointment with Dr. Awesome, where we found out he could get the evaluation, before he got the appointment date; and it’s still another 5 weeks away! I know something strange must have happened, because Dr. Awesome had told us that the evaluation would be “in about 3 weeks” and that Brandt “could probably be implanted in mid- to late-July.” But now his initial appointment isn’t until the end of July. They’re blaming it on an issue with “a new secretary”; I just hope this isn’t a reflection of their Program as a whole.
We received a letter and packet of information from the Cochlear Implant Program a week after the appointment with Dr. Awesome, with a medical questionnaire for Brandt to fill out and return. The letter began:
“Thank you for your interest in the Cochlear Implant Program. The Cochlear Implant Team is comprised of a neuro-otologist, an otologist, audiologists, speech/language pathologists, and social workers. These team members provide a comprehensive evaluation of candidacy for children and adults. This evaluation is a process that looks at current communication skills, ability to use traditional amplification, and family support and involvement. Several visits will be required for the evaluation process to be completed.”
Then it listed the 12—yes, a full dozen—people on the CI Team. I don’t know if we will be meeting with all 12; I assume some of them work only with children and others only with adults, but it wasn’t specified. I was also surprised that it said several visits were required for the evaluation. July 30 is the last Friday this summer that Brandt has off of work, so I’m not sure what is going to happen or how long this whole process is going to take…
On the Initial Case History questionnaire that Brandt filled out, its “Hearing History” questions included:
On the Initial Case History questionnaire that Brandt filled out, its “Hearing History” questions included:
- How old were you when you suspected a hearing loss?
- At what age was your hearing loss identified?
- What were you told was the cause of the hearing loss?
- Has your hearing loss changed since it was first identified?
The “Hearing Aid History” asked:
- At what age did you receive your first hearing aid(s)?
- Have you worn hearing aids continuously since that time?
- Do you currently wear a hearing aid in: Right ear/Left ear/Both/Neither
- What model hearing aid(s) do you wear?
- How old is your current hearing aid(s)?
“Social/family factors and personal motivation are clearly the most important determinants of a person’s post-implant performance. Despite the incredible technology and exponentially expanding experience in using Cochlear Implants, how well the individual performs is largely determined by the family support and personal motivation.”
So I am going to be evaluated as well; evaluated on how good a support system I would be if Brandt were implanted. I’m not really worried about that part—I’m a certified Hearing Loss Support Specialist!—although the idea of being evaluated makes me feel nervous and defensive; like the panic I get when a cop comes up behind me on the freeway, even though I’m driving the speed limit.
The “new secretary” has e-mailed Brandt several times asking about his employment and health insurance, and presumably she is going to contact his insurance company to find out if they cover Cochlear Implants (he can’t find it anywhere in his policy if they’re covered). I’m pretty worried about it, though 90% of insurance companies do cover them. At the very least, I’m prepared for having to go several rounds of them refusing to cover it and us having to submit letters from Dr. Awesome, the Cochlear Implant Team, and an intervention with Advanced Bionics—they have an entire department devoted just to arguing with insurance companies!
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