About 324000 people across the world have gotten cochlear implants. Cochlear implants
have become popular in aiding people with hearing loss. To answer the question – what does
a cochlear implant sound like? The sound stimulation of the implant differs based on the
device and the patient. If a person is planning to get cochlear implants, it is better to know all
details about it and make a well-informed decision. This post explains in detail about
cochlear implants, how it works, how to prepare, what to expect and what the risks associated
with the implants are.
What is a cochlear implant?
A cochlear implant is a small electronic device that activates the sense of sound in people
with profound hearing loss. The complex implant doesn’t work like other hearing aids which
just amplifies the sound. The cochlear implant comprises an external portion that sits behind
the ear and internal devices placed surgically inside the ear. The inner implant consists of the
following parts:
- A microphone: collects sound from the environment
- Speech processor: selects and organizes the sound received by the microphone.
- The transmitter and stimulator receive signals from the speech processor and
converts them into an electrical impulse. - An array of electrodes: collects the impulse from the stimulator and transports the
impulse to various regions of the auditory nerve.
The cochlear implant doesn’t restore normal hearing, but it allows a deaf person to hear
sounds from the environment and understand speech.
How do cochlear implant works?
A cochlear implant vastly differs from a hearing aid. The hearing aid amplifies the sound and
enhances the hearing ability.
The hearing aids depend on the inner ear that responds to sound
and then passes the electric impulse via the auditory nerve to the brain. However, hearing loss
occurs when the sensory cells in the ear stop working.
When a lot of cells stop working, the
hearing aid makes the sound louder, but it doesn’t make the sounds clear. As a result, people
may face difficulties in understanding speech or talking. The cochlear implants on the other
hand bypass the sensory cells that convert sound vibrations into electrical impulses. It directly
stimulates the auditory nerve connected to the brain.
The processor behind the ear picks sound signals and sends them to the receiver. The receiver
converts the sound vibrations into an electrical signal and sends them to electrodes placed in
the snail-shaped cochlea. The signals in the electrodes stimulate the auditory nerves and send
the impulse to the brain.
The benefits of cochlear implants
The cochlear implants restore hearing ability in people with severe hearing loss. It is the
resort for people who are no more helped by hearing aids. It improves their quality of life by
making them a part of communication. The cochlear implants can be placed either unilateral
or bilateral. Bilateral implants are more common as people seek implants in severe hearing
loss. Children from 6 months to adults benefit from the implants. It helps people with hearing
loss by improving the following:
- Power to hear speech without any visual cues such as reading the lips.
- Response to normal and everyday environmental sounds
- Ability to hear sounds in a noisy environment
- To detect where the sounds come from
- Ability to hear music, telephonic conversation, and programs
A person should meet the following eligibility criteria to qualify for a cochlear implant: - Severe hearing loss that impacts spoken communication
- Limited or no benefit from hearing aids
- No medical condition that might increase the risk associated with cochlear implants
- Motivation to be a part of the hearing world.
- Realistic expectation regarding the ability of cochlear implants
What to expect from a cochlear implant surgery?
Before the surgery
The doctor determines the eligibility of the patient to get a cochlear transplant via a detailed
medical examination. The medical evaluation usually involves tests of hearing speech and
balance, physical examination to assess the inner ear’s health, and some other tests to check
the overall health.
During the Procedure
The surgeon will make an incision behind the ear and create a small hole in the mastoid (skull
bone) for the internal device to rest. The surgeon will make a small opening in the cochlea to
connect the electrode of the internal device. Therefore, the incision is stitched securing the
device under the skin.
After the procedure
The patient may feel
- Pressure and discomfort over the implanted ears, dizziness, and nausea are some post-
surgery symptoms. - The patient waits for activation of implants until the surgery site heals.
Activation - An audiologist will activate the implant once the surgery site heals. During activation, the
audiologists will - Adjust the processor to fit the need of the patient
- Check whether the parts of the implant works properly
- Determine the sound heard by the patient.
- Explain the procedure to maintain the implant and its proper usage
Rehabilitation
In the rehabilitation phase, the audiologist will train the patient’s brain to understand the
sounds heard via the cochlear implant. The environmental sound and speech will sound differ
from before hearing loss.
The sound might feel strange at the time of activation, but the
strange quality fades away as the patient uses the implant. The quality of cochlear implant
sound differs from recipient to recipient. Dedicated training helps the recipient to accustom to
the sound easily.
Risks
Though the cochlear implants are generally safe, it is prone to some risks which may include:
- Loss of residual hearing
- Meningitis (inflammation of membrane around the brain and spinal cord)
- Failure of the cochlear implant
Bottom line
In conclusion, Cochlear implants give the gift of hearing to people with hearing loss. Discuss with the
doctor and get a cochlear implant to enter the world of hearing.
