Fundamentals of Implantable Devices: Hearing Solutions for Infants and Children

Audiology

Introductory

Self-Study

8hr 6min

Continuing Education

0.80 AAA CEUs
8.00 AG Bell CEUs
0.80 ASHA CEUs

Register until Dec. 30, 2026

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Course Overview
Course Outline

Course Overview

This four-week course is designed for audiologists seeking to expand their knowledge of implantable hearing devices in infants and children. With a focus on cochlear implants and other technologies, participants will gain foundational insights essential for effective assessment and management of children with hearing loss. We will kick off the course with a comprehensive overview of cochlear implants, including their history, candidacy criteria, and key surgical considerations. We will then delve into the fundamentals of cochlear implant hardware, examining key components and how they function. Learners will gain a solid understanding of signal processing terminology and concepts, setting the stage for effective programming and management. The third week will focus on cochlear implant programming procedures, including potential stumbling blocks and strategies for optimizing performance. We will conclude the course by exploring other implantable hearing devices, such as bone conduction systems and auditory brainstem implants. We will discuss emerging technologies and future trends in the field and consider how these advancements may enhance auditory rehabilitation for children with hearing loss.

Throughout the course, participants will engage in interactive discussions, case studies, and Q&A sessions, fostering a collaborative learning environment.

Course Timeline

30 Days

Primary Audience

Audiology and LSL Professionals

Key Outcomes

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

Review candidacy criteria for cochlear implantation in infants and children, including developmental, medical, and audiological considerations.
Identify and describe the main components of cochlear implant systems and explain their functions in the auditory process.
Explain basic signal processing terminology and concepts relevant to cochlear implants.
Describe cochlear implant programming procedures, including effective strategies for optimizing device performance and addressing common challenges.
Compare and contrast cochlear implants with other implantable hearing devices, such as bone conduction systems and auditory brainstem implants, including their indications and applications.
Discuss emerging technologies and trends in the field of implantable hearing devices and their potential impact on auditory rehabilitation for children with hearing loss.

Course Outline

Session 1
2h 2m
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[embed:36efd594-647a-47a1-9350-90a1e89aac01:4f2ec5b6-7bef-4631-b90a-79180332ad5a:title=Live%20Session%20Recording&duration=3600&itemdetails=]
Introduction to Cochlear Implants and Candidacy
1h 2m
- Welcome and introductions | 5m
- Cochlear Implant Hardware | 5m
- Basic description of CI function | 12m
- Pediatric cochlear implant history | 10m
- Regulatory process and considerations | 10m
- FDA indications for use | 10m
- Contemporary considerations for candidacy | 5m
- Pediatric Minimum Speech Test Battery | 5m
Live Session Recording
1h
Session 2
1h 59m
[embed:36efd594-647a-47a1-9350-90a1e89aac01:ea58adce-a272-45c7-81a0-6a2aa7ff82ad:title=Cochlear%20Implant%20Management&duration=3540&itemdetails=%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3ESurgical%20Considerations%20%7C%2010m%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ESignal%20Processing%20%7C%2020m%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EBasics%20of%20CI%20programming%20%7C%2019m%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EGeneral%20programming%20procedures%2010m%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E]

[embed:36efd594-647a-47a1-9350-90a1e89aac01:c86c9a6e-f0e0-49a7-8784-796530deac05:title=Live%20Session%20Recording&duration=3600&itemdetails=]
Cochlear Implant Management
59m
- Surgical Considerations | 10m
- Signal Processing | 20m
- Basics of CI programming | 19m
- General programming procedures 10m
Live Session Recording
1h
Session 3
2h 3m
[embed:36efd594-647a-47a1-9350-90a1e89aac01:104bb2f9-1e08-4261-883c-3c998fe9b3ec:title=Cochlear%20Implant%20Management%20and%20Other%20Considerations&duration=3780&itemdetails=%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3ERefresher%20from%20previous%20week%20%7C%2013m%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EObjective%20measures%20%7C%2010m%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ESpecial%20considerations%20for%20bimodal%2C%20bilateral%2C%20asymmetrical%20listeners%26nbsp%3B%3Cspan%3E%7C%2015m%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EGeneral%20expected%20outcomes%3Cspan%3E%26nbsp%3B%7C%2015m%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ESpecial%20considerations%20and%20outcomes%20for%20additional%20exceptionalities%2C%20ANSD%2C%20and%20device%20failures%3Cspan%3E%26nbsp%3B%7C%2010m%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E]

[embed:36efd594-647a-47a1-9350-90a1e89aac01:c2f90a85-44ea-4794-8e4c-2a3030ca8ae3:title=Live%20Session%20Recording&duration=3600&itemdetails=]
Cochlear Implant Management and Other Considerations
1h 3m
- Refresher from previous week | 13m
- Objective measures | 10m
- Special considerations for bimodal, bilateral, asymmetrical listeners | 15m
- General expected outcomes | 15m
- Special considerations and outcomes for additional exceptionalities, ANSD, and device failures | 10m
Live Session Recording
1h
Session 4
2h 2m
[embed:36efd594-647a-47a1-9350-90a1e89aac01:ff68a682-6af7-4e85-9708-3ab23e113eae:title=Other%20Implantable%20Hearing%20Devices%20for%20Children&duration=3720&itemdetails=%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3EBone%20conduction%20device%20indications%20for%20use%20%7C%2012m%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EBone%20conduction%20device%20hardware%20and%20function%20%7C%2010m%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EBone%20conduction%20outcomes%20and%20special%20considerations%3Cspan%3E%26nbsp%3B%7C%2010m%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EAuditory%20brainstem%20implants%3Cspan%3E%26nbsp%3B%7C%2015m%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EFuture%20technologies%3Cspan%3E%26nbsp%3B%7C%2015m%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E]

[embed:36efd594-647a-47a1-9350-90a1e89aac01:00957517-1ac1-4e4c-bde7-417013185d7b:title=Live%20Session%20Recording&duration=3600&itemdetails=]
Other Implantable Hearing Devices for Children
1h 2m
- Bone conduction device indications for use | 12m
- Bone conduction device hardware and function | 10m
- Bone conduction outcomes and special considerations | 10m
- Auditory brainstem implants | 15m
- Future technologies | 15m
Live Session Recording
1h

Featuring

Lisa Park
AuD, CCC-A
View Profile

Dr. Park joined the Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2006. She is an Associate Professor and Division Chief of the Children’s Cochlear Implant Center at UNC. She holds a Master of Science in Speech and Hearing from Washington University in St. Louis and a Doctorate in Audiology from The University of Florida. Her clinical research focuses on expanding cochlear implant indications for children who are deaf or hard of hearing and optimizing outcomes for non-traditional pediatric cochlear implant recipients.

Financial Disclosures: Dr. Park receives compensation from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as Research Associate Professor as well as Division Chief of The Children’s Cochlear Implant Center at UNC. She also a recipient of a grant from MED-EL Corporation. She also receives compensation from Hearing First for teaching this course.

Non-financial Disclosures: Dr. Park is an Editor with the American Journal of Audiology and Member of the Cochlear Implant Patient Access to Hearing (CI-PATH) Pediatric Collaborative.
Margaret Richter
AuD, CCC-A
View Profile

Margaret Richter, AuD, CCC-A is a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC). She completed her undergraduate and graduate degrees at UNC and her clinical externship at UNC Hospitals Hearing and Voice Center. Prior to joining the team as a Research Instructor, she worked in the UNC Cochlear Implant Clinical Research Lab as a Research Assistant for 5 years. Dr. Richter’s research interests include individualized mapping procedures for cochlear implant recipients and bimodal users and new indications for cochlear implantation and the resulting spatial hearing and quality of life outcomes.

Financial Disclosures: Dr. Richter is supported by a research grant provided to her university by MED-EL Corporation. She also receives compensation from Hearing First to teach this course.

Non-financial Disclosures: Dr. Richter has no non-financial disclosures at this time.

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