Cochlear Implants

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Cochlear Implants

A cochlear implant is a tiny, intricate electronic device that can improve the reception of sound in those who are deaf or suffer dramatic hearing loss. Also referred to as a bionic ear, cochlear implants are not similar to hearing aids, as the cochlear implant stimulates the auditory nerve, rather than amplifying sound.

It's also important to note that cochlear implants cannot restore hearing loss. Instead, they represent sound in a novel way so that hearing-impaired individuals can interpret sounds in their environment.

How Do Cochlear Implants Work?

Requiring surgical implantation, a cochlear implant is a complicated device that includes:

a microphone to detect surrounding sounds
a speech processor to sort sounds
a transmitter and receiver to pick up sounds from the processor and relay them into electric impulses
an electrode array to collect electric impulses and transmit them to the appropriate area of the auditory nerve

This combination of parts allows cochlear implants to effectively stimulate the auditory nerve by circumventing the damaged areas of the ear. Ultimately, the auditory nerve sends these signals to the brain, where the signals are interpreted as sounds.

Given that cochlear implants render sound in a novel way, patients who use these devices will need to learn (or relearn) how to interpret the various signals and impulses created by cochlear implants.

Who Can Get Cochlear Implants?

Both children and adults who suffer from severe hearing loss or are profoundly deaf can benefit from use of cochlear implants. In fact, in the U.S., about 23,000 adults and nearly 16,000 children already have cochlear implants.

For adults who lose their hearing later in life, use of cochlear implants can trigger their memory for certain sounds or words. In some cases, cochlear implant's signals can help adult patients understand speech without having to lip-read or use sign language (However, use of these visual cues is often necessary for adult cochlear implant patients).

In children, cochlear implants – along with involved therapy following implantation – can facilitate the understanding of language and the development of social skills. In general, cochlear implants are typically provided to children between 2 and 6 years old.

However, in 2000, the FDA did approve one type of cochlear implant for use in children who are 1 year old.