Switch On | Rehabilitation

At SACIC we work collaboratively, unified by a clear and common purpose, to ensure you achieve best hearing outcomes.

SACIC is here to support you and your family as you adjust to life with a hearing implant. We offer services to optimise your hearing and enhance your listening and communication skills; we tailor your rehabilitation program to meet your individual needs and work toward achieving your hearing goals. We do this in a warm, understanding and friendly environment.

After cochlear implant surgery

Following surgery the SACIC team will continue to work with you throughout your cochlear implant journey. This will include:

  • Fitting of the sound processor and activation of the cochlear implant approximately two weeks after your operation
  • An intensive series of appointments throughout the first month of switch on to help you adapt to electrical stimulation and become confident in managing your device
  • Listening and communication practice to optimise your hearing
  • Ongoing support for you, your family and those involved in your care to ensure you are enjoying improved hearing and achieving best hearing outcomes

Over time you will continue to adapt to electrical stimulation and improved access to sound; you will begin to integrate the cochlear implant in to your daily life and less programming will be required. While the need for intensive support may lessen over time, the SACIC team is always here for you. Routine review on a 6-12 monthly basis is recommended to ensure your cochlear implant and sound processor are well maintained, your hearing remains optimal and we are supporting you to achieve your listening and communication goals.

After bone conduction implant surgery

Following surgery the SACIC team will continue to work with you to optimise your hearing. This will include:

  • Fitting of the sound processor approximately two weeks after surgery for the Attract and Bonebridge systems and approximately six weeks after surgery for the Connect system
  • Two to three appointments over the first few months following switch on to help you adapt and become confident in managing your device
  • Listening and communication practice to optimise your hearing
  • Ongoing support for you, your family and those involved in your care to ensure you are enjoying improved hearing and achieving best hearing outcomes

After the initial programming of your bone conduction implant you can expect to adapt to and readily integrate the device into your daily life. While the need for intensive support may lessen over time, the SACIC team is always here for you. Routine review on an annual basis is recommended to ensure your bone conduction implant and sound processor are well maintained, your hearing remains optimal and we are supporting you to achieve your listening and communication goals.

Rehabilitation

SACIC offers rehabilitation as an extension of care throughout your hearing implant journey. SACIC is focussed on understanding your individual hearing and communication needs and will personalise rehabilitation to help you achieve your goals.

SACIC’s specialist Rehabilitation Audiologist can provide support across a variety of areas including, but not limited to:

  • Listening practice to help you become familiar with your hearing implant
  • Repairing conversation breakdowns with your communication partner
  • Strategies to help you manage better in different listening environments such as social gatherings, restaurants, meetings or your workplace
  • Strategies to help you manage small group conversations
  • Coaching to improve assertiveness and self-advocacy in relation to your hearing loss
  • Telephone training and support with assistive listening devices

At SACIC we believe in person- and family-centred care and therefore personalised rehabilitation is available for you, your communication partners and family members at all stages of your hearing implant journey.

To find out more about how SACIC can help you contact us or request an appointment.