"I wasn’t able to hear on the telephone."
Leslie received his first cochlear implant soon after retiring in 2005 on the left ear after being referred to Ear Science Institute Australia director Marcus Atlas. Two years later, he was implanted on the right. Leslie struggled with hearing loss all his life, unable to do things we all take for granted, such as hearing on the telephone.
I wasn’t able to hear on the telephone.
After receiving his cochlear implant at the age of 69, Leslie had his life completely transformed; he can now hear voices on the phone, dogs barking, and even footsteps and a ticking clock.
Leslie’s daughter Jody and grandson Hayden were also born with hearing loss. Being the first in the family to get the life-changing device, Leslie persuaded them to go down the same path, given the incredible difference in his life. Thanks to his cochlear implant, Leslie enjoys the sounds of life he missed for so long.
Here’s what a typical hearing implant journey looks like
At Ear Science Implant Clinic our dedicated team will support you each step of the way through your implant journey. You can self-refer and we will only offer you an implant assessment if you are a potential candidate. Our mission is to provide you with the best possible care and to find the best solution for you.
Making an appointment
You don’t need a referral for a hearing implant assessment. To book your first appointment call 1300 847 395 or request an appointment.
Your first appointment
As a potential candidate you will undergo an evidence-based assessment of your hearing thresholds and speech perception to make sure a hearing implant is the right solution for you. Your assessment results will be discussed with you and you will know if you are eligible for a hearing implant. Your audiologist will work with you to find the solution that best suits your hearing goals and your lifestyle.
We encourage you to bring a family member or friend to your first appointment and we will give you the information you need to make an informed decision. We will listen to your unique needs and answer all of your questions.
The next step
Following your assessment, your next step will be to see an Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) specialist for a medical review of your implant candidacy, your GP can refer you to an ENT and our Implant Coordinator will help make all these arrangements for you.
Hearing implant activation
Your Audiologist will ‘switch-on’ your implant within two weeks of your surgery. Your audiologist will program your device to ensure you are comfortable with the new sound input.
You will see your Audiologist for follow up appointments to fine tune your settings, make any adjustments to optimise your hearing. This is an exciting time for implant recipients and their families.
Follow-up and after-care
Our team forms long term relationships with our clients, providing the best possible care to you. We offer frequent services within the first year of receiving your implant to optimise your outcomes and will provide you with long term-care as you need.
We use evidence-based device programming and therapy approaches to maximise your hearing outcomes and meet your hearing goals.
Hearing Implant Assessment Form
Podcast | Myth Busting Cochlear Implants: Rare and radical or routine treatment for severe hearing loss
Senior Implant Audiologist Ronel Chester-Browne will share with us her knowledge and insights into Cochlear Implants. This marvelous Australian invention truly changes lives and now days Cochlear Implants are routinely recommended for when hearing aids are just not enough.