Contents



Preface

Severe hearing loss (HL) can have a significant negative impact on communication, social interactions, and emotional well-being. The WHO estimates that there are about 360 million people in the world with disabling hearing loss (5.3% of the world's population). Ninety-one percent of these are adults and 9% are children.

The last decades have witnessed impressive technological advances in the rehabilita-

The majority of HL cases are of the sensorineural type and can be managed by

In profound HL, the speech perception performance achieved with cochlear implants has been so reliable and rewarding that it has enabled a great expansion of their audiological indication. Bone conduction hearing implants, instead, allow a

Stem cell manipulation and genetic therapy appear promising but are not yet avail-

Hopefully, the insights will assist clinicians, audiologists, hearing aid acousticians, and speech therapists in their planning of the most suitable treatment options for

The editor wishes to acknowledge and congratulate his co-editor and all authors for their excellent scientific contributions; Sara Cavicchiolo (Sp. Ther.), Anna Gasbarre (Aud. Tech.), Eliana Filipponi (Aud. Tech.), Cinzia Lazzarini (Sp. Ther.), and Loredana Todini (Sp. Ther.), from the team of the Audiology Dept. of the University of Milano for their trusted cooperation; and Associazione Progetto Udire

**Diego Zanetti and Federica Di Berardino** 

Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Università degli Studi di Milano,

Milan, Italy

This book strives to provide an in-depth overview of the latest developments in the rehabilitation of HL, through contributions by international leading experts, focused on specific topics within the boundaries of this continuously evolving area.

tion of HL, leading to significant shifts in the approach and protocols.

amplification with hearing aids or active middle ear hearing implants.

consistent correction of conductive or mixed hearing losses.

their patients with severe-to-profound hearing loss.

Onlus for their continuous support.

able for clinical application.
