Cochlear implant program
With more than 750 implantations performed since 1991, our Cochlear Implant Program has grown to be one of the largest pediatric implant programs in the world. Program founder and medical director Dr. Nancy M. Young's work also was featured in Chicago Magazine’s 2008 “Top Doctor” issue.
Caring for your child is a dedicated implant team of experienced pediatric audiologists, speech pathologists, social workers, deaf educators, a psychologist, a registered nurse and support staff to help with scheduling, equipment and insurance.
This multidisciplinary team has special expertise in evaluating and implanting very young children, including infants less than one year old. The team serves children of all ages enrolled in a variety of educational settings and using different educational methodologies.
Children’s Memorial has a wealth of experience in evaluating and managing children with auditory neuropathy, Usher’s syndrome, deafness secondary to bacterial meningitis, and cochlear malformations, as well as children with multiple handicaps. Our philosophy is that each child should have the opportunity to develop to their full potential.
Your child's first appointment: what to expect
At your child's initial consultation, we provide more information about cochlear implantation and the evaluation process. We also share names of families to contact who have children who have received an implant here. We ask permission to obtain your child's school records, and to speak with your child's private therapists and school professionals.
Please provide us with the name and address of your child's pediatrician or family doctor, as well as any other medical specialists involved in your child's care. We also request that you provide us with copies of your child's vaccination records.
Specialized audiologic testing (speech perception tests) will be needed to confirm your child's implant candidacy. If needed, hearing aids will be loaned to your child for the evaluation process. Once we have determined that your child would receive more benefit from an implant than from his or her hearing aids, imaging studies will be scheduled. A CT scan of the ears and, in some cases, an MRI will be recommended. At any point during the preoperative evaluation period, you can meet with Dr. Young. She will consult with you again closer to the date of surgery to answer any additional questions.
The preoperative consultation and audiologic testing, the medical consultation and postoperative programming are available at the main hospital in Chicago and at our outpatient facility in Westchester.
Please note: young or difficult-to-test children may require multiple appointments to complete required speech perception testing. The order of these evaluations may be changed to meet you and your child's needs. For families coming from a distance, it is possible to schedule multiple evaluations over several days. We can also help you find local accommodations. Learn more about staying in Chicago.
For more information and consultation scheduling
If you have questions or to schedule an initial consultation, please call 773.880.4605 or e-mail cochlearimplant@childrensmemorial.org
Equipment donations are welcome
Donations of new and used hearing aids, FM systems and cochlear implant equipment are welcome. You will be provided with a letter acknowledging your in-kind donation for tax purposes. Please call 773.880.4605 regarding donations.