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Systematic Hearing Performance Evaluation Process for Adolescents with Cochlear Implantation at Early Ages
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Cochlear Implant Mentorship Program for Audiologists to Improve Veteran Outcomes
Jessica Preston1, Cyndi Trueheart1
1VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven.
American Journal of Audiology
|July 8, 2026
Summary
A national cochlear implant (CI) mentorship program successfully trained audiologists, expanding access to specialized hearing loss care for Veterans. This initiative improved workforce capacity and clinical readiness within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA).
Area of Science:
- Audiology and Hearing Healthcare
- Medical Education and Training
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Cochlear implants (CIs) provide significant benefits for severe-profound hearing loss unresponsive to traditional amplification.
- Access to CI services within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is limited by geographic, workforce, and training barriers.
- A national needs assessment identified key challenges in CI service delivery, including provider shortages and rehabilitation inconsistencies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline the development, implementation, and outcomes of a national CI mentorship program within the VHA.
- To address barriers hindering access to and quality of CI care for Veterans.
- To expand CI expertise and improve service delivery across a large integrated health system.
Main Methods:
- A national needs assessment surveyed VHA audiologists to identify barriers to CI care.
- A structured mentorship program paired experienced CI audiologists with trainees.
- The program incorporated didactic education, virtual observation, supervised programming, and professional development.
Main Results:
- Over 75 audiologists were mentored, enhancing telehealth capabilities and supporting new CI sites.
- Mentees reported significant improvements in clinical competency, confidence, and preparedness for independent practice.
- Many participants continued professional collaboration post-program.
Conclusions:
- A nationwide CI mentorship model is a viable and scalable strategy for increasing CI expertise in large health systems.
- The VHA CI Mentorship Program offers a replicable framework for enhancing workforce capacity and specialized care access.
- This program has the potential to improve outcomes for individuals receiving cochlear implants.
Related Concept Videos
01:31Hearing
When we hear a sound, our nervous system is detecting sound waves—pressure waves of mechanical energy traveling through a medium. The frequency of the wave is perceived as pitch, while the amplitude is perceived as loudness.
01:13The Cochlea
The cochlea is a coiled structure in the inner ear that contains hair cells—the sensory receptors of the auditory system. Sound waves are transmitted to the cochlea by small bones attached to the eardrum called the ossicles, which vibrate the oval window that leads to the inner ear. This causes fluid in the chambers of the cochlea to move, vibrating the basilar membrane.