Cochlear Implant

Introduction

A cochlear implant is a surgically implanted electronic device that gives a sense of sound to the person who is deeply deaf or severely hard of hearing. The cochlear implant is also known as a bionic ear. Cochlear Implant is a small artificial hearing device which is designed such as to generate hearing sensation by electrical stimulation of nerves inside the inner ear. The implant comprises of two parts: an external portion that sits behind the ear and the internal portion which is surgically planted under the skin. This surgery is of great help to those with impaired hearing.

How Does the Implant Work?

Importantly, an implant has four major parts: a microphone, which selects up sounds and amplifies them; a speech processor, which summonses and arranges the sounds; a transmitter, which receives signals from the processor and converts them to electrical impulses and last is an electrode array, which collects the impulses and sends them to different regions of the auditory nerve.

A cochlear implant does not restore normal hearing. However, it provides a deaf person a useful representation of sounds to help him or her understand them. The Bionic Ear can help young children who are yet to acquire speech, language and social skills. Most adults who have lost all or most of their hearing can also benefit from the cochlear implants.

This surgery is done under local anesthesia. The electrode, which collects the impulses and send to different regions of auditory regions is fitted in the cochlea and the receiver is secured to the skull. Taking an X-Ray or checking the functionality of the processor will ensure the success of the surgery. This surgery usually ends within a week. Patient is not required to stay more than two nights in the hospital.

Follow-Up and Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation is very necessary for the patients who have undergone this surgery and had cochlear implants. This can be give at the same hospital in which surgery is conducted or in the auditory rehabilitation centres. Hearing through this hearing aid is very different from the normal hearing. Patients learn to get adjusted with the implants over the time.