Hearing, Balance and Cochlear Implants
OHSU Cochlear Implant Program
Welcome to the OHSU Cochlear Implant Program! We are a team of expertly trained professionals dedicated to providing state-of-the art care to individuals with severe to profound hearing loss. Our center is located in the Physician’s Pavilion Building on the OHSU campus.
OHSU has been providing cochlear implant services since 1983. We have undergone significant growth in the last decade and are now recognized as the largest implant program in the Pacific Northwest. The program has implanted over 1,000 patients, and now routinely implants over 100 patients each year. We offer the latest in implant technology from Cochlear Americas, Advanced Bionics, and Med El. All of these manufacturers' implants are FDA approved and provide excellent benefits.
A multidisciplinary team approach is used at OHSU in cochlear implantation. The Cochlear Implant Program consists of our surgeon, our PA, and audiologists with specialized training in caring for patients with cochlear implants. Working together as a team with the patient, the best cochlear implant is chosen for that particular person and the best possible implantation care and follow-up is provided.
OHSU Hearing Aids and Audiology
The OHSU Hearing Aid and Audiology programs work with patients to provide the very best in hearing aid technology, hearing exams, and hearing assessment.
Audiology Service
Who would benefit from a visit to our Audiology Service? Any person who is concerned about their hearing or the hearing of a loved one, is having difficulty understanding conversation in select situations, or has been exposed to loud noises. If you have ringing (Tinnitus) in the ears or are profoundly deaf and would like to explore the option of a cochlear implant. Patients who would like to obtain devices to protect their hearing; or a person who needs an audiologist to speak to a group about current and future technology for the hearing impaired individual, can benefit from our services.
Hearing Aids
There are many choices when deciding where to purchase a hearing aid. At OHSU we are unique because we provide our patients with exams, fittings, and hearing aid technology while working with our patients' medical, financial, and emotional needs.
- We take an ethical position to not "sell" to a patient. OHSU Audiology staff are salary compensated.
- Our Audiologists have a minimum of a Master's degree, hold state and national licensure, and have a license to dispense hearing aid equipment.
- We offer multiple manufacturers to address the diverse needs of our patients. One product does not fit all.
- Hearing aid use requires an adjustment period as well as maintenance. We welcome visits from our hearing aid patients for fine tuning and cleaning of the hearing aids at no charge.
- We do not bundle costs. We do not use gimmicks that deceptively offer discounts and free hearing aid evaluations in return for a higher priced hearing aid. Our bottom line cost (the price YOU pay) is usually much more affordable than competing retail hearing aid outlets.