If your hearing aids aren’t giving you enough speech clarity, a cochlear implant candidacy evaluation is the logical next step. At Abilene Audiology, our licensed audiologists conduct the full evaluation in-office, measure your hearing profile against established candidacy criteria, and coordinate with the surgical team so you understand exactly where you stand before any decision is made.
TL;DR
- A cochlear implant evaluation tests whether your degree of hearing loss and your aided speech understanding make you a strong surgical candidate.
- Abilene Audiology’s audiologists handle the pre-surgery hearing assessment and all post-surgery device programming and fitting.
- Ideal candidates have severe-to-profound sensorineural hearing loss with limited benefit from well-fitted hearing aids.
- Appointments are available in Abilene, TX. Schedule here.
What a Cochlear Implant Candidacy Evaluation Involves
A cochlear implant candidacy evaluation is a structured diagnostic process that determines whether your auditory system is likely to respond to an implant. It goes well beyond a standard hearing test. The audiologist measures your unaided and aided hearing thresholds, assesses your speech recognition in quiet and in noise, and reviews your history with hearing amplification.
The goal is a clear, objective picture of how much you currently hear and how much functional benefit your existing amplification provides. That data feeds directly into the referral conversation with the cochlear implant surgeon. Nothing about the process is speculative. The results either support a surgical referral or they don’t, and the audiologist will tell you which on the same visit.
The Audiologist’s Role Before and After Surgery
Audiologists are the central clinical partner in a cochlear implant journey. They don’t perform the surgery, but they do nearly everything else.
Before surgery: The audiologist conducts the candidacy evaluation, documents your hearing history, confirms you’ve had a real trial with properly fitted hearing aids, and submits evaluation findings to support the surgical referral. If the results don’t yet support implantation, they’ll outline what the next steps look like.
After surgery: Once the implant is placed and the incision heals, the audiologist programs the device. This process, called mapping, is precise work. The audiologist sets the electrical stimulation levels across each electrode so sound is both audible and comfortable. Follow-up mapping sessions continue over weeks and months as your brain adapts to processing sound through a new pathway. First fittings are a starting point, not a finish line.
The audiologists at Abilene Audiology, Steven Hamlett, Au.D. and Kelsey May, Au.D., hold doctoral-level training in diagnostic audiology and hearing device management. Both are qualified to perform candidacy evaluations and to provide post-surgical mapping support.
Who Is a Candidate for a Cochlear Implant?
Adults with severe-to-profound sensorineural hearing loss who gain limited speech understanding from hearing aids are the core candidate group. Children as young as 12 months are FDA-approved for implantation, though pediatric cases follow a separate referral pathway.
For adults, the benchmark used in most programs is a sentence recognition score at or below 50% in the best-aided condition. That threshold isn’t a judgment call the audiologist makes on the spot; it reflects the published FDA labeling for most implant systems and the clinical research behind them.
Other factors the evaluation examines:
- Duration and progression of hearing loss
- Anatomy of the cochlea (confirmed by imaging ordered through the surgical team)
- Prior experience with hearing aids and whether the trial was adequate
- Realistic expectations for the rehabilitation process and commitment to follow-up mapping
Hearing loss caused by noise exposure, aging, or illness can all lead to candidacy. The evaluation itself, not a self-assessment, is what determines fit.
What to Expect at Your Appointment in Abilene
Your cochlear implant evaluation at Abilene Audiology is a clinical visit, not a sales consultation. It runs longer than a routine hearing test, so confirm the appointment length with the front desk when you book.
The visit covers:
- A review of your hearing history and current amplification
- Pure-tone audiometry to establish your hearing thresholds without aids
- Aided speech recognition testing in quiet and in noise
- A review of candidacy findings before you leave
You won’t walk out with a surgical date. You’ll leave with a clear picture of your hearing profile and a documented referral pathway if the results support it. If you’re not yet a candidate, the audiologist will explain why and what to watch for going forward.
To schedule your evaluation, book directly here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a doctor’s referral to schedule a cochlear implant evaluation?
No. You can contact Abilene Audiology directly to book. If you have records from a previous audiologist or ENT, bring them. The more history available, the more complete the picture.
Is the evaluation covered by insurance?
Diagnostic audiology evaluations are covered by many insurance plans, including Medicare, when medically indicated. Coverage specifics vary by plan and enrollment status, so contact our office before your visit and we will help you check what your plan covers.
How is a cochlear implant different from a hearing aid?
A hearing aid amplifies incoming sound. A cochlear implant bypasses the damaged hair cells in the cochlea and sends electrical signals directly to the auditory nerve. The two devices address the same underlying condition through completely different mechanisms. Hearing aids are always the starting point; an implant is considered when aids no longer provide adequate benefit.
What happens if I don’t qualify?
If the evaluation shows you’re not a candidate, the audiologist documents the findings and works with you on alternatives. That might mean a different hearing aid style, adjustments to your current device fit, or a follow-up evaluation if your hearing changes over time.
Can both ears be evaluated for implantation?
Yes. Bilateral (both-ear) implantation is an option for some patients. The evaluation covers the hearing profile for each ear separately, which informs whether a bilateral referral is appropriate for your case.
Medically reviewed by Steven Hamlett, Au.D., Abilene Audiology. Last updated: August 2026.