The McGill University Health Centre (MUHC), with its partners, has become the second cochlear implant point of service in Quebec. The hearing impaired and deaf population, living in the west part of the province, both adult and pediatric, can now be treated in Montreal by a full team of hearing professionals.
The Lethbridge-Layton-Mackay Rehabilitation Centre of the CIUSSS Centre-Ouest-de-l'Île-de-Montréal and the Centre de réadaptation en déficience physique Raymond-Dewar of the CIUSSS Centre-Sud-de-l'Île-de-Montréal are the MUHC's partners in the care pathway for patients living in the west part of the province.
This addition of services in the west will allow many Quebecers to benefit from comprehensive, state-of-the-art hearing health care close to home.
The Centre hospitalier universitaire de Québec-Université Laval and its partners will continue to provide services to patients living in the east part of the province.
Useful links
- Association des implantés cochléaires du Québec
- CHU de Québec
- Québec cochlear implant program – Western point of service: User’s Guide
The Quebec Cochlear Implant Program at a glance
|
West |
East |
Partners |
|
PATIENT INFORMATION
What is a cochlear implant?
A cochlear implant is a device made up of an internal part inserted under the skin and an external part consisting of a voice processor with an antenna. The two connected parts analyze sounds and stimulate the auditory nerve, allowing information to be sent to the brain, thus improving hearing.
The installation of a cochlear implant is performed during surgery under general anesthesia, which lasts on average two hours and does not require hospitalization.
Who can benefit from a cochlear implant?
Cochlear implants are for adults and children with severe to profound hearing loss for whom hearing prostheses are not sufficient.
Children as young as 9 months of age can receive cochlear implants. For adults, there is no age limit.
Referrals for a cochlear implants are reviewed in collaboration with our partners. Eligibility for a cochlear implant is determined by a selection committee composed of various professionals. The selection criteria may change over the years as scientific discoveries are made and the technology evolves.
How are services organized in the Montreal area?
- For children and adults, the medical component (evaluation, surgery and medical follow-ups), the initial intensive programming and the programming follow-ups during the first twelve months are provided by the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) cochlear implant team. Specifically, children are cared for at the Montreal Children's Hospital and adults are cared for at the Royal Victoria Hospital.
- After the first year, programming follow-ups are provided by the Lethbridge-Layton-Mackay Rehabilitation Centre of the CIUSSS Centre-Ouest-de-l'Île-de-Montréal or by the Centre de réadaptation en déficience physique Raymond-Dewar Laurier of the CIUSSS Centre-Sud-de-l'Île-de-Montréal.
- Intensive functional rehabilitation following surgery is provided by the rehabilitation center in the patient's region or by one of the CIUSSS mentioned above, if the regional rehabilitation center does not offer this service.
Getting an appointment for patients living in the west part of the province
It is recommended to have a referral from a hearing specialist (i.e., audiologist, otolaryngologist or audioprosthesist) when applying for a cochlear implant.
Regardless of where you live, the application must be sent to the Quebec Cochlear Implant Program's provincial office located in Quebec City.
By fax: 418-691-5377
By email: [email protected]
By mail: CHU de Québec - Université Laval - Hôtel-Dieu de Québec, Audiology Department (Cochlear Implant), 11 Côte du Palais, Quebec City, Quebec G1R 2J6.
Requests submitted to the provincial office will then be directed to the west or east of the province, depending on the postal code of the user's residence and the territorial distribution established by the Ministry of Health and Social Services.
The MUHC will be ready to receive its first patients from the western Quebec in October 2022.
For patients who live in the west of the province and want to know more, please consult this FAQ.
A list of accommodation resources is also available here for those who need to stay in Montreal.
Coordinates
McGill University Health Centre
Programme québécois d’implants cochléaires
Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology D04 7510
1001, Décarie Boulevard
Montréal, QC, H4A 3J1
Phone : 514-843-1663
Fax : 514 934-8380
Email : [email protected]