Cochlear Implants
The Procedure:
- A cochlear implant (CI) is a surgically implanted neuro-prosthetic device to provide a person with moderate to profound sensorineural hearing loss a modified sense of sound.
- CI bypasses the normal acoustic hearing process to replace it with electric signals which directly stimulate the auditory nerve.
- CI is an electronic device that partially restores hearing. It can be an option for people who have severe hearing loss from inner-ear damage who are no longer helped by using hearing aids.
- Unlike hearing aids, which amplify sound, a CI bypasses damaged portions of the ear to deliver sound signals to the hearing (auditory) nerve.
- CIs use a sound processor that fits behind the ear. The processor captures sound signals and sends them to a receiver implanted under the skin behind the ear. The receiver sends the signals to electrodes implanted in the snail-shaped inner ear (cochlea). The signals stimulate the auditory nerve, which then directs them to the brain. The brain interprets those signals as sounds, though these sounds won’t be just like normal hearing. It takes time and training to learn to interpret the signals received from a cochlear implant.
- Within a year of use, most people with cochlear implants make considerable gains in understanding speech Cochlear implants may be placed in one ear (unilateral) or both ears (bilateral).
- Adults and children who are as young as six to 12 months old can benefit from cochlear implants.
- Patients willing to undergo such treatment must adopt high motivation to participate in hearing rehabilitation and be part of the hearing world.
- Complications are rare and can include: Bleeding, Facial paralysis, Infection at the surgery site.
- Device infection or Balance problems & Dizziness & Taste Rehabilitation will involve training the brain to understand sounds heard through the cochlear implant.
- Speech and everyday environmental noises will sound different from patient remembers.
- Results of cochlear implant surgery vary from person to person, but eventually many people who meet the hearing criteria for cochlear implantation will get clearer hearing with using the device.