Cochlear implants are small electronic devices that are surgically implanted in the inner ear. They provide a sense of sound to people who are severely hearing impaired or deaf.
How do cochlear implants work?
The implant has two parts: an external portion that sits outside the ear, and an internal portion that is surgically implanted.
The external portion includes a microphone, which picks up sounds from the environment and sends them to a speech processor. The speech processor translates the sound into electrical signals and sends them to a transmitter.
The transmitter sends the electrical signals to the internal portion of the implant, which is surgically placed under the skin behind the ear. The internal portion includes a receiver-stimulator, which converts the electrical signals into vibrations. These vibrations are sent to the cochlea, a snail-shaped structure in the inner ear that contains nerve endings that transmit sound to the brain.
What are the benefits of cochlear implants and how do they help?
Cochlear implants can provide a sense of sound to people who are severely hearing impaired or deaf. The implants can help people communicate more effectively and participate more fully in everyday activities such as school, work, and social events.
How do I know if I’m a candidate for a cochlear implant?
If you have severe hearing loss or are deaf and would like to improve your ability to communicate, you may be a candidate for a cochlear implant. However, the final decision about whether or not to implant rests with you and your doctor.
What are the steps involved in getting a cochlear implant?
The first step is to meet with a specialist to see if you are a candidate for the procedure. If you are, the next step is to have a series of tests, which may include an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) or CT (computed tomography) scan, to assess the condition of your inner ear and determine if you are likely to benefit from the implant.
After that, if you and your doctor decide to proceed with surgery, the next step is to have the implant placed under your skin behind your ear. This outpatient procedure usually takes about two hours.
Once the implant is in place, you will need to go through a period of rehabilitation, which may include learning how to use the implant and how to interpret the sounds it produces. This process can take several months.
Educational and teaching NGO in Delhi named Suniye ensures that kids learn deaf and dumb language as properly as possible and it is something they encourage and thrive on. Children with hearing loss receive speech and language education at Suniye.
Suniye also offers educational programmes for hearing impaired students (deaf education). Over the past 25 years, we have educated more than 1,000 hearing-impaired students.
