In line with national guidance we have had to reassess how we routinely review our patients.
As a continually growing service who see patients for their whole lifetime, we need to focus our services where it is most needed and make sure we have the capacity to see you if you need an appointment.
We hope that this change will be of benefit to you by empowering you to request care when you need it and avoid unnecessary visits.
Please see the following guidance for more information.
Adult cochlear implant patients
What has changed about routine reviews?
We now plan to see you for a routine review every 5 years, instead of every year.
What about my processor upgrade?
We will contact you at the time you are due for an up-grade of your processor. This may be an additional appointment to your routine review appointment.
How will I hear about my future routine appointments?
You will receive your appointment via MyChart or in a letter sent to you by the Emmeline Centre team.
Will I hear anything in between these routine appointments?
You can keep in touch with any departmental updates via this website.
If you have a Cochlear device, we will ask you to enroll in the Remote Check service which conducts some basic checks via the Smart App.
For those with an Advanced Bionics or Medel device we do not currently have the remote service fully operational yet, but watch this space!
What do I do if I have a problem with my sound in between routine appointments?
The first thing to do is some basic processor care to check for common faults, is anything obviously broken? Have you changed your microphone filters if applicable? Links to CI company instructional videos are available on our Implant equipment support pages.
If this doesn't solve the problem, or you are unable to access online support please contact your relevant equipment company in the first instance:
Cochlear Care (opens in a new tab)
Email Cochlear Care enquiries
Email general enquiries
Telephone: 0800 035 6318
Text message only: 07903 583 780
Advanced Bionics (AB4U) (opens in a new tab)
Email Advanced Bionics
Telephone: 01223 847 888 (select option 1)
Text message only: 07827 324 211
MED-EL (DirectCare) (opens in a new tab)
Email MED-EL
Telephone: 0330 1235601 (select option 1)
Text message or WhatsApp only: 07930 363351
If a programming appointment is required, your managed service provider will notify us to arrange an appointment for you.
If after completing these equipment checks you still feel you need to be seen by a clinician at the Emmeline Centre, please fill out our Cochlear implant triage questionnaire so we can address your concerns appropriately.
What do I do if I experience any pain/discomfort in between routine appointments?
Please contact us to request contact with our specialist nursing team, who will be able to advise on the best course of action.
How do I contact you with any other general queries?
See the Emmeline Centre home page for details on how to contact us.
Adult hearing implant patients
What has changed about routine reviews?
We now plan to see you for a routine review every 3 years, instead of every year.
What about my processor upgrade?
We will contact you at the time you are due for an up-grade of your processor. This may be an additional appointment to your routine review appointment.
How will I hear about my future routine appointments?
You will receive your appointment via MyChart or in a letter sent to you by the Emmeline Centre team.
Will I hear anything in between these routine appointments?
You can keep in touch with any departmental updates via this website.
If you have an Oticon Ponto 4 or 5 device, we may offer you a remote programming appointment if you are suitable and interested.
For those with a Cochlear BAHA 5, 6, Osia or Medel device we do not currently have the remote service fully operational yet, but watch this space!
What do I do if I have a problem with my sound in between routine appointments?
The first thing to do is some basic processor care to check for common faults, is anything obviously broken? Have you changed your microphone filters if applicable?
Links to HI company instructional videos are available on our implant equipment pages.
If this doesn't solve the problem, or you are unable to access online support please contact Emmeline Centre equipment office to request repair.
Equipment team telephone: 01223 25601
Email the Emmeline equipment team
If after completing these equipment checks you still feel you need to be seen by a clinician at the Emmeline Centre, please fill out the hearing implant triage questionnaire so we can address your concerns appropriately.
What do I do if I experience any pain/discomfort in between routine appointments?
Please contact us to request contact with our specialist nursing team, who will be able to advise on the best course of action.
How do I contact you with any other general queries?
See the Emmeline Centre home page for details on how to contact us.
Paediatric cochlear implant patients
In line with recommended changes we are now offering ongoing appointments on a three year rotational basis. All patients that have been implanted for over two years and have stable programming, will be reviewed every three years either remotely or face to face in clinic. This change will help release capacity to see patients when they experience urgent or listening difficulties and enable us to support patients when they most need team input.
We appreciate that remote appointments are not appropriate for all patients and so for these patients we will aim to see them face to face rather than remotely.
What to do if there are concerns with your child’s hearing
Check the equipment using the following steps to guide you on how to do this:
- Is the processor showing any warning lights? Check the meaning of the flashing light colours in the instruction booklet or in your app.
- Check that the coil cable and the batteries are on properly, and that the batteries are charged.
- If you have an MRI compatible magnet, ensure the magnet is correctly positioned (i.e. when the magnet has the strongest connection). Sometimes it might attach but may give intermittent signal if it is not in the right position.
- Try switching on/off the processor (i.e. battery off then on).
- Listen to the device via the listening checker or check the device status on the app (if applicable).
- Change the battery in case it is faulty (battery life may reduce after about 18 months, contact your company provider to get replacements).
- Change microphone covers where applicable.
- Change coil cable and/or the head piece.
- If there are still problems, contact the manufacturer for a replacement processor:
Email Cochlear support or call 0800 0356318.
Email Advanced Bionics or call 01223 847 888
Email MED-EL or call 0330 1235601 - If there is still a concern, contact The Emmeline Centre or your Key Rehabilitationist directly via the Emmeline home page. An appointment will only be offered once equipment has been fully checked.