The cochlear implant is a complex electronic device that can compensate for non-functioning parts of the inner ear. The implant procedure involves surgery to insert the device under the skin behind the ear. Electrodes are attached, providing a direct pathway to the cochlea within the inner ear.
When the implant detects sound, impulses are sent through the auditory nerve to the brain, creating an effect similar to hearing.
While the implant does not completely restore hearing, most recipients find that they are able to receive significant auditory clues, enabling them to speak and understand oral communication.
How does it work?
Unlike a hearing aid that simply amplifies sound, a cochlear implant actually converts sound into electrical impulses that the brain can interpret. For adults or children who have ear damage that cannot be overcome by simply turning up the volume with a hearing aid, cochlear implants can often restore hearing to highly functional levels. For children, cochlear implants provide the ability to learn to listen and talk and the opportunity to be educated in classrooms along with normal-hearing peers.
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