A cochlear implant bypasses the damaged portion of the inner ear and provides sound signals to the brain by stimulating the auditory nerve. This provides an opportunity for the severely hard of hearing to perceive sound sensations.
Cochlear implants are highly
advanced medical devices that work differently from conventional hearing aids
which amplify sounds.
How do Cochlear Implants work?
A cochlear implant comprises two
main components-- a surgically implanted internal part that directly stimulates
the auditory nerve, and an external sound processor worn on the ear to receive
sound signals. The two components are coupled using a strong magnet and work
together to convert sounds into electrical signals that are sent to the brain
where they are interpreted. This process happens so rapidly that the user will
hear speech and other sounds without any noticeable delay.
Who should get a Cochlear
Implant?
Patients with severe-to-profound
hearing loss who do not benefit enough from hearing aids should consider a
cochlear implant. It is suitable for adults and children as young as six months
old. Experts recommend implantation as early as possible to expose children to
sounds for optimal listening and spoken language development. For adults,
cochlear implants can help restore hearing and improve their communication and
quality of life.
Hearing Loss
Hearing loss can be a result of
many causes, but the severity of impairment varies depending on which part of
the ear is damaged and the seriousness of it. Amongst the inner, middle and
outer parts of our ear, damage to the inner part the cochlea, will cause more
severe cases of hearing loss. There can be several reasons for a damaged
cochlea.
It may be from exposure to loud
noise which is a common cause, a birth defect, injury to the ear, trauma,
genetics or aging. Therefore, cochlear implants are not only for old people but
of all ages. The biological difference between a damaged and healthy cochlea is
how well the hair cells that are used in the ear to transmit sound waves to the
hearing nerve is functioning. Damaged hair cells are what makes the loss of
hearing.
The way a damaged cochlea is
treated is by using cochlear implants. To treat a damaged ear it is crucial to
get it diagnosed by an ENT specialist at the earliest stages possible. The
difference between cochlear implants and hearing aids is that cochlear implants
are surgically implanted versus hearing aids which are impermanent. The
difference between treating hearing loss with hearing aids or implants depends
on the type of treatment needed. Hearing aids amplify sounds whereas implants
treat the damaged hair cell to stimulate the hearing nerve and pass on
information to the brain. When it comes to deciding which treatment/aid will
best resolve the problem, it will depend on the severity of each case, which
part of the ear is damaged and what is the preference of treatment.
Due to the complexity of the
treatment of cochlear implants that requires surgery, the treatment is not for
everyone. ENT specialists will only offer patients the option of a cochlear
implant if the damage is severe and hearing aids are not sufficient. Whether a
child (above 2 years old) to middle age and older, it is up to discretion by
specialists to determine whether cochlear implants are required. Due to them
being controversial, very expensive and having uncertain results, the procedure
is limited to people with only severe cases of hearing loss or deafness.
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