Some hearing impaired people need much more than a hearing aid that can be worn in the ear and adjusted. Cochlear implants represent a more permanent option that can provide much better results to people with bad forms of hearing loss. Unlike hearing aids, these devices are implanted into the individual’s skull in order to create a bypass through which sound waves can be interpreted by the auditory nerve. There are numerous technologies that are available to people who suffer from hearing impairment. While hearing aids have traditionally been the most common solution to hearing loss, cochlear implants are quickly gaining ground for many individuals. It is important to note that cochlear implants are targeted toward those who have a profound amount of hearing loss. They can be used for both adults and children.
How Do Cochlear Implants Function?
The electric cochlear implant functions by using all four pieces in conjunction with one another. They all consequently reproduce sound waves that simulate hearing. The microphone that is on the outside of the ear picks up sounds from the user’s surroundings. From there, the sounds are sent to the speech processor, which can be located near the microphone, or placed elsewhere on the body in order. This device interprets the sound and digitizes it so that it can be detected by the transmitter: the next part of the electric cochlear implant. This part of the electric cochlear implant sends the signals to the receiver that is implanted beneath the skin of the user.
This receiver sits directly behind the ear and underneath the skin with a main function of transmitting all of the signals to the cluster of electrodes that were already implanted into the cochlea. From there, these electrodes activate fibers on the auditory nerve, allowing the user to experience simulated sound waves.
What Makes A Cochlear Implant?
The parts of the device that are located on the external body surface are the microphone, speech processor, and a transmitter. Implanted beneath the skin are a receiver and an electrode cluster that work in conjunction with the other parts to simulate sound for the wearer. Most parts of the device is located on the outside of the ear, while other pieces of the device are actually implanted into the skin behind the ear.
Benefits Of Cochlear Implants
People who have tremendous amounts of hearing loss than cannot be bolstered or improved significantly by the use of a hearing aid can benefit from cochlear implants. Through their implantation and use of unique parts, these devices help people to “hear” sounds such as speech. What results? Users can regain a certain degree of safety and confidence as they proceed through their daily life, giving them the ability to hear more with more clarity and consistency than ever before. Yes, they can be rather expensive, but the benefits far outweigh the costs.