A framework for good practice: managing failures in a cochlear implant service

Cochlear implants can provide the recipient and their family with wonderful outcomes in terms of their improved access to sound and to speech. However the experience of a cochlear implant failing is distressing for all concerned. Clinicians endeavour to ensure that the process of confirming the failure, re-implantation and subsequent rehabilitation is as smooth as possible. In order to benefit from each others experience, a working party of cochlear implant centre coordinators and representatives from the Ear Foundation met on a number of occasions to draw up a protocol which could be used widely throughout the British Cochlear Implant Group. The protocol indicates quality standards of clinical care to be used in the event of device failure.