Abstract
This statement paper, prepared on behalf of the Presidential Board of the German Society
of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery (DGHNO-KHC), addresses the classification
of postoperative follow-up care after cochlear implantation (“CI rehabilitation”).
In September 2024, “follow-up rehabilitation (AHB)” after cochlear implant surgery
was included in the indication catalog of the Deutsche Rentenversicherung Bund (DRV
Bund). Based on the guideline of the Association of the Scientific Medical Societies
in Germany (AWMF) (017–071) and the CI White Paper, the following assessment examines
how the AHB is to be integrated within the overall care pathway. At present, the AHB
procedure is applied exclusively in adults. The analysis demonstrates that the AHB
represents a complementary element within basic therapy and follow-up therapy but
does not replace them. A mandatory prerequisite for AHB is the early fitting of the
audio processor, according to medical indication, within the first days after cochlear
implantation. This alone ensures that the AHB can begin within the required 14 days
after discharge from inpatient treatment. At the same time, it must be emphasized
that an AHB as the sole measure would deprive patients of essential components of
follow-up therapy. Accordingly, AHB is to be regarded as a structured supplement to
established treatment pathways, but not as the exclusive format of postoperative care
for CI patients.
Keywords
Cochlear Implant - Rehabilitation - AHB - Basic Therapy - Follow-up Therapy - Aftercare
- Quality Control - Clinical Practice Guideline
Schlüsselworte
Cochlea-Implantat - Rehabilitation - AHB - Basistherapie - Folgetherapie - Nachsorge
- Qualitätssicherung - Leitlinie
