CIICA CONVERSATION: ADULTS WITH CI: NOBODY TOLD ME WHAT TO ASK….

Tuesday May 6 2025

Your opportunity to develop a resource for those thinking about CI.

SUMMARY AVAILABLE SOON

In previous conversations we have explored the issues people wish they had known before CI – and several times the request to develop a guide for adults going for CI for the first assessment.  We hope to develop a consensus of opinion into a manageable format!  See summaries of previous conversations at https://ciicanet.org/events/list-of-summaries/

The conversation was led by Kris English, Professor of Audiology, Akron, USA, and Michelle Frisbie,  who has Bilateral Implants and is Treasurer, HLAA state & local chapters, Wisconsin, USA, and Emma McAuley, CI user and Audiologist from Ireland, together with other users and professionals from across the globe.

21 participants, including 9 CI users, one HA user thinking about CI, 3 parents and a range of professionals   joined us from 10 countries for this discussion which explored the questions that people wished they had asked.  Kris shared some previous comments:

  • “There needs to be a way to empower recipients to know what questions to ask – a resource with what things you need to ask about..”
  • “Someone needs to develop a guide for adults going for CI before their first assessment.”
  • Relying on internet searches: problematic
  • Even when you know what to ask, most websites do not meet readability criteria

(Benaim et al. [2025]. What do people want to know about cochlear implants: A Google analytic study. Laryngoscope, 135, 840-847.)

Michelle shared her questions:

  • How to select among CI brands
  • Assess potential balance issues
  • Complete info re: bilateral implants
  • Importance of early, continuous AR

Followed by Emma:

  • Post-op sore throat
  • Keeping bandage from slipping off while sleeping
  • How to meet other CI users
  • How Bluetooth supports listening practice

These led to interesting discussions – SUMMARY AVAILABLE SOON!

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