In the US, almost one percent of Americans have hearing loss so severe
that conventional hearing aids only provide limited benefit. But thanks
to advancements in technology, a new device known as a cochlear implant
can now provide significant benefit for people who suffer from profound
hearing loss.
What is a cochlear implant?
A cochlear implant partially restores hearing for people with hearing loss
or damage to their inner ear. A cochlear implant is not the same thing
as a hearing aid. A hearing aid’s function is to amplify sound.
This type of hearing implant actually transmits impulses to your auditory
nerve, which then carries those signals to your brain — just like
a working inner ear would do.
How does a cochlear implant work?
In-ear hearing aids do not help everyone with hearing loss. A cochlear
ear implant is designed to treat sensorineural hearing loss, which means
there is damage in your inner ear. When you have damaged hair cells in
your inner ear, this means hair cells cannot send sounds to your auditory
nerve. Cochlear implants bypass these damaged portions of the ear and
send the sound directly to the nerve.
Part of the cochlear implant is worn on the outside of your ear. This device,
which still looks like a hearing aid, is worn behind your ear and has
a microphone that picks up sounds. Under the skin behind your ear, a receiver
sends signals to electrodes in your inner ear, known as the cochlea. This
is how the cochlear implant transmits auditory sensory information to
your brain.
When do you need a cochlear implant?
Typically, people who are deaf or severely hard-of-hearing are candidates
for cochlear implants.
Cochlear ear implants might work for adults who:
Have severe or profound hearing loss in both ears
Traditional hearing aids have not helped improve their hearing
Started to talk before they lost their hearing
Want to improve their listening, speaking, and speech
What happens during and after cochlear implant surgery?
During the cochlear implant procedure, an ENT surgeon with specialized
training known as a neurotologist will implant the receiver and electrodes
in the ear. After the ear implant surgery, some patients can leave the
hospital that same day, while some patients might need to stay overnight.
The implants are not turned on right away. Patients need time to heal
before the cochlear implants are turned on.
After cochlear implant surgery, patients return to the hospital or clinic
to have the external parts of the implant programmed for use. Patients
also have to learn how to use these ear implants for hearing loss. This
treatment is called audiologic rehabilitation, in which those with cochlear
implants learn how to figure out what sounds they are hearing and what
they mean. They also learn listening, speaking and speech reading skills.
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