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What is a Cochlear Implant?
Cochlear implants are surgical devices used for those who are profoundly hard of hearing. The patient must have a 70-90% decibel hear loss to qualify for a cochlear implant. It is also known as the Bionic Ear.
It consists of one instrument placed under the skin and a second placed behind the ear. A microphone picks up sound from the atmosphere and sends it to a transmitter.
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The transmitter receives the signals and converts them into electric impulses. These impulses are sent to the implant which is equipped with electrodes.
The electrodes then begin stimulating the acoustic sensory nerves of the inner ear.
Although Cochlear implants do not restore normal speech and hearing capabilities they give the patient the capability of listening and communicating more effectively.
The basic benefit of the cochlear implant is that it replaces functions lost by the cochlea or inner ear and benefits the seriously deaf patient.
The cochlear implant assists deafness caused by the non stimulation of auditory nerves. As the implant assists the nervous system, a patient who chooses to use a cochlear implant chooses a non reversible procedure.
After the implant a series of post operative therapies are given to the patient to adjust to the bionic ear. The earliest research on the possibilities and benefits of the surgical intervention of a cochlear implant was 30 years ago in France.
Researchers at The University of Melbourne Australia have researched and developed the cochlear implant that is used today.
The Food and Drug Administration approves of four manufacturers of cochlear implants. Combi, Nucleus, Clarion and 3M are the major manufacturers of cochlear implants. The introduction of the cochlear implant was a miraculous, permanent and literally, ‘nerve racking’ system of helping the hard of hearing enjoy the pleasures of communication.
Informative video describing technical side of Cochlear Implants:
Learn More: How Cochlear Implants work
