Index
- What are cochlear implants?
- Why are they used?
- What are cochlear implants?
- Preparation for cochlear implants
- Post-procedure care
What are cochlear implants?
Cochlear implants are small electronic devices that help people with hearing loss or deafness to hear. These devices provide sound information to the brain by transforming acoustic signals into electrical signals that stimulate the auditory nerve. A cochlear implant is not the same as a hearing aid, since it is surgically implanted and works differently. General anesthesia is usually required for the surgery.
This prosthesis replaces the function of the damaged parts of the middle ear (cochlea). There are many types of cochlear implants. However, most of them consist of two parts: an internal part, which is surgically placed in the skull, and an external part, which is placed behind the ear.
Why are they used?
Cochlear implants are indicated for people who have damaged cochlear hair cells. Although they do not restore normal hearing, they help patients acquire speech and understand speech in people who are deaf or severely hard of hearing. Both children and adults can benefit from cochlear implants, with children benefiting the most, since if they are implanted at a young age they will acquire verbal language like any other child their age, without language delays.
Cochlear implants are indicated for people with hearing deficits.
What do cochlear implants consist of?
Cochlear implants attempt to replace the functioning of the inner ear by transforming sound into energy. This is used to stimulate the cochlear nerve by sending sound signals to the brain.
Preparing for cochlear implants
A cochlear implant is not suitable for everyone. Some pre-treatment criteria are:
- The patient must be completely deaf (or nearly so) in both ears and have little improvement with hearing aids.
- The patient must be highly motivated to undergo treatment.
- It is important to perform an ENT examination and a previous study with the ENT specialist to consider the feasibility of the treatment.
- In some cases it may also be necessary to undergo a psychological examination.
Care after the operation
In some cases patients are hospitalized overnight for observation. You will be given a course of painkillers and antibiotics to prevent infection.
One week after surgery, the external part of the cochlear implant is connected to the stimulator-receiver implanted behind the ear. At that time, the patient can start using the device. When the surgical site has healed properly and the implant is attached to the external processor, the patient will begin working with specialists to learn to “hear” and process sounds.
The patient will be required to undergo rehabilitation with the speech therapist after cochlear implant placement.