Cochlear implant

Cochlear Implant is an electronic medical device that bypasses the damaged parts of the inner ear (cochlea) to provide sound signals to the brain. It is used to restore the sense of hearing in individuals with profound sensorineural hearing loss who derive minimal benefit from hearing aids.

A cochlear implant, including the outer component (transmitter) and the inner component (receiver and electrode array)

Cochlear Implant Components

A cochlear implant consists of two main components: an external portion that sits behind the ear, and an internal portion that is surgically placed under the skin. The external component includes a microphone, a speech processor, and a transmitter. The internal component consists of a receiver and an electrode array.

Function and Performance

The microphone picks up sound from the environment, and the speech processor selectively filters and digitizes the sound into coded signals. The transmitter, placed over the skin, then sends the coded signals to the implanted receiver. The receiver converts the signals into electric impulses, which are sent along the electrode array inserted in the cochlea. These electric impulses stimulate the auditory nerve, which sends the information to the brain for interpretation.

Candidacy and Outcomes

Candidates for cochlear implants typically have profound sensorineural hearing loss in both ears and receive little or no benefit from hearing aids. Evaluation by an experienced team, often including audiologists, speech-language pathologists, otolaryngologists, and others, is needed to determine whether a cochlear implant is appropriate.

The outcome of cochlear implantation is usually favourable, with most recipients gaining significant improvement in their ability to understand speech and communicate effectively. The success depends on various factors including the duration of deafness, the individual's learning abilities, and the quality of post-implantation auditory training.

Risks and Complications

Although cochlear implantation is a generally safe procedure, it carries potential risks including infection, tinnitus, dizziness, and injury to the facial nerve. In some cases, there can also be device failure requiring re-implantation.

See Also

• Hearing loss
• Sensorineural hearing loss
• Audiology
• Otolaryngology

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