The Dallas Cochlear Implant Program (DCIP) evaluates children using a best practice, interdisciplinary approach. Children receive hearing evaluations, speech-language evaluations, medical evaluations, and other services as needed.
Information is also gathered from the child’s physicians, current teachers and/or speech-language pathologists. The purpose of these evaluations is to determine if a child is a candidate for a cochlear implant and to provide the family with information about the benefits a cochlear implant might provide the child.
Audiology Evaluation
Speech-Language Evaluation
Medical Evaluation
Family Meeting/Device Selection
Hearing testing is completed to determine if the child’s hearing qualifies him/her as a candidate for a cochlear implant. Unaided (without hearing aids) and aided testing (with hearing aids) is conducted, as well as testing to evaluate if the child is able to understand any sounds or speech he/she may be able to hear. This evaluation typically requires more than one appointment for young children.
An evaluation of the child’s communication skills is conducted in order to determine
A medical evaluation, including an MRI, is completed at UT Southwestern Medical Center and Children’s Medical Center of Dallas.
Children may also be referred for other testing if needed.
Family Meeting and Device Selection
A family meeting is scheduled with the audiologist and speech-language pathologist to discuss test results and potential benefits of having a cochlear implant.
Once it is determined that a child is a candidate for a cochlear implant, the device choices are presented to the family.
