Cochlear Implants

A cochlear implant is an electronic medical device that replaces the function of the damaged inner ear. Unlike hearing aids, which make sounds louder, cochlear implants do the work of damaged parts of the inner ear (cochlea) to provide sound signals to the brain.

How Does a Cochlear Implant Work?

Hearing aids amplify sounds so they may be detected by damaged ears. Cochlear implants bypass damaged portions of the ear and directly stimulate the auditory nerve. Signals generated by the implant are sent by way of the auditory nerve to the brain, which recognises the signals as sound.

What are Cochlear Implants Used for?

Cochlear implants are designed to help severely-to-profoundly deaf adults and children, who receive little or no benefit from hearing aids. Even individuals with severe or profound “nerve deafness” may be able to benefit from cochlear implants.

What is the Success Rate of a Cochlear Implant?

The best results were found among children who received the cochlear implant at 0–3 years of age. They achieved 90–95 percent hearing and language improvement. 80-90 percent of these children develop a hearing and speech equal to those of children with normal hearing.

Do Cochlear Implants Make You Hear?

A cochlear implant is not a hearing aid, which makes sounds louder. It’s a small device that a doctor puts into your ear through surgery. It sends impulses directly to your auditory nerve, which carries sound signals to your brain. The implant doesn’t make you hear normally again, but it can help you with sounds

Do Cochlear Implants Restore Normal Hearing?

Cochlear implants are medical devices that bypass damaged structures in the inner ear and directly stimulate the auditory nerve. They are surgically implanted to improve hearing in people with severe or profound hearing losses. They can create a range of sound, but do not replace normal hearing.