[Current indications for cochlear implantation]

The indications for treatment with a cochlear implant (CI) have steadily expanded over the years. While the CI was originally designed for deaf adults, the range of indications now also includes patients with profound uni- or bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, unilateral deafness, or residual hearing. Infants and toddlers are also fitted, preferably before the age of 1 year, in order to create optimal conditions for language development. New developments such as gene therapy for otoferlin mutations or CI treatment for vestibular schwannomas further expand the treatment options. The indication is determined individually for each ear, taking audiological, imaging, psychosocial, and cognitive factors into account. The current S2k guideline of the Association of the Scientific Medical Societies in Germany (AWMF) aims to promote high-quality care and emphasizes the importance of interprofessional collaboration in the diagnostic and care process.