Patient Information
Approximately one in a thousand persons is born deaf. Almost an equal number of persons born with hearing will develop deafness during their lifetime. This information is concerned with the cochlear implant for restoration of some hearing to the totally deaf.
The cochlear implant is an electronic instrument. Part of the device is implanted in the temporal (ear) bone and part is worn like a pocket-type hearing aid on the body. The cochlear implant, however, is not a hearing aid. It allows limited speech discrimination (understanding), makes communication easier and enables the user to hear many environmental sounds.
Click for more information about cochlear implants.
Physicians
Click below for more information about St. John Health neurosciences physicians who provide cochlear implants.
Seilesh C. Babu, MD
Hospital Privileges: Providence Hospital, Providence Park Hospital
Dr. Babu is fellowship trained in Otology and Neurotology from the Michigan Ear Institute in Farmington Hills, MI. He completed his Otolaryngology Residency at Henry Ford Health System after receiving his medical degree from Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine. Dr. Babu has clinical interests in ear surgery, hearing loss and reconstruction, dizziness, cochlear implants, acoustic neuromas and skull base lesions, facial nerve weakness in kids and adults. Dr. Babu has several publications in these areas. He is a member of the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, American College of Surgeons, and associate member of the American Neurotology Society. He currently serves as a council member to the Michigan Otolaryngological Society.
Dennis I. Bojrab, MD
Hospital Privileges: Providence Hospital, Providence Park Hospital
Dr. Dennis I. Bojrab is a Board certified otolaryngologist-Head and Neck Surgeon. He is regionally, nationally, and internationally respected for his expertise in evaluation and management of the patient afflicted with dizziness, treatment of chronic ear infections, hearing restoration surgery, medical and surgical treatment of facial nerve disorders and skull base tumors.
Dr. Bojrab was recognized as a "Top Doc" in otolaryngology by Hour Detroit magazine in 2008.
Jack M. Kartush, MD
Hospital Privileges: Providence Hospital, Providence Park Hospital
Dr. Jack M. Kartush is a Board-Certified Otolaryngologist-Head and Neck Surgeon. He is internationally known for his expertise of acoustic tumors, facial paralysis, ear infections, hearing loss and dizziness. His current research includes the development of an implantable hearing device.
Michael J. LaRouere, MD
Hospital Privileges: Providence Hospital, Providence Park Hospital
Dr. LaRouere is fellowship trained in otology, neurotology and skull base surgery. His special interests include chronic ear disease, dizziness and balance, acoustic tumors, facial nerve disorders, and breast cancer.
Dr. LaRouere is currently the President of the Michigan Otolaryngological Society and the Section Chief of Neurotology at Providence Hospital. He is also a member of the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery where he serves on the Board of Governors representing the ear, nose and throat physicians from the State of Michigan. He is also active in the American Neurological Society. He is currently an Assistant Clinical Professor at Wayne State University.
Dr. LaRouere has received numerous honors and awards including being cited in the Best Doctors in the Midwest and in Michigan. He recently received the Honor Award from the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, which acknowledged his many academic contributions to the field of otolaryngology.
Dr. LaRouere has published numerous scientific articles on the ear and related topics. He is a frequent lecturer nationally and sits on the review panel for several journals in the field of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery. Current research interests include balance dysfunction, facial paralysis, chronic ear disease and tinnitus. Recently he developed tinnitus tapes which have been approved for use in combating ringing in the ears.
Eric W. Sargent, MD
Hospital Privileges: Providence Hospital, Providence Park Hospital, St. John Hospital and Medical Center
Dr. Sargent has an interest in chronic ear disease, skull base surgery, and acoustic neuroma, he also has a particular interest in cochlear implantation. His research interests include the functional impact of unilateral hearing loss and the diagnosis and treatment of migraine-related dizziness.
John J. Zappia, MD
Hospital Privileges: Providence Hospital, Providence Park Hospital
Dr. John J. Zappia is a Board-Certified Otolaryngologist/Head and Neck Surgeon. He recieved his medical degree from the University of Michigan. After general surgical internship at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Ann Arbor, he completed an N.I.H. funded research fellowship at the Kresge Hearing Research Institute in Ann Arbor. Dr. Zappia completed his Otolaryngogology/Head and Neck Surgery training at the University of Michigan and went on to train further in Otology/Neurotology/Skull Base Surgery at the Michigan Ear Institute.
Dr. Zappia practiced in the Chicago area with the Chicago Otology Group and with the depatment of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery at Northwestern Medical Center. In 1997, he joined the Michigan Ear Institute.
His basic research work has been on ototoxic effects of medications, cochlear nerve implant prototypes and the effects of cochlear implants on the human cochlea. Dr. Zappia's numerous publications have included many facets of otology/neurotology including intraoperative monitoring, audiometric testing, treatment of tinnitus, acoustic neuromas, intraoperative hearing preservation, chronic ear disease, and treatment of vertigo.
