cochlear implant

 Cochlear Implant

Cochlear implant is an electronic device placed inside ear help to improve hearing who is profoundly deaf or hard to hearing.

Cochlear implant electronic device surgically placed, that receive sound and transmit the electrical singnal. This signal stimulate cochlear nerve (nerve for hearing), sending singal to brain and allow to hear.

The function of cochlear implant is to transforms sounds into electrical signals and transmits directly to auditory nerve inside inner ear.

Cochlear implants bypass damaged portions of ear and directly stimulate auditory nerve.

Sign generated by cochlear implant sent to brain through auditory nerve.

Parts of Cochlear Implant;

External Device

1. Microphone

Microphone picks up sound from environment.

2. Speech Processor

Speech Processor which selects and arranges sounds picked up by the microphone.

3. Transmitter

Transmitter receive signals from speech processor.

Internal Device 

4. Receiver/stimulator

Convert signal into electric impulses.

5. Electrode array

Electrode array collects the impulses from stimulator and sends them to the auditory nerve to brain.

Who Uses Cochlear Implant?

1. Severe to profound sensorineural hearing impairment.

2. Having functioning of auditory nerve

How Cochlear Implanted?

Surgical cut behind ear, open/drill the mastoid bone to allow inside, parts of implant to be inserted.

Electrodes array inserted into inner ear (cochlea). Reciever placed into created well behind ear, after surgery stitiches behind the ear. 

The external parts of device placed about 3-4 weeks after surgery, give time to opening to heal.

Conductive hearing loss

Sensorineural hearing loss

Diagnostic Evaluation

Surgical Procedure

Otic Medication