Cochlear Implants

Cochlear implants are small electronic devices that help provide a sense of sounds to severely hearing impaired individuals. The implants are comprised of an external portion that sits behind the ear and a second portion that is surgically implanted under the skin inside the ear.  Cochlear implants do not restore hearing, but instead give useful representation of sound to help a person better understand speech and various sounds.

Cochlear implants differ greatly from hearing aids. Hearing aids amplify sounds so that a person can hear the sounds better. Cochlear implants work by stimulating auditory nerves. The auditory nerves send signals to the brain which works to recognize the signals as sounds. As a result, many people who previously had little hearing capability are able to recognize sounds in the environment for easier interaction with the world around them.

Cochlear implants consist of a microphone, which picks up sounds; a speech processor, which arranges sounds picked up by the microphone; a transmitter and stimulator, which receive signals from the speech processor and converts the signals into electric impulses; and an electrode array, which collects the electronic impulses from the stimulator and sends them to the auditory nerve.

A person who receives a cochlear implant requires therapy to learn or relearn how to interpret sounds. Audiologists and cochlear implant specialists can help a person make the decision if this device is best for them.

 

Cochlear Implant Candidates
Ideal cochlear implant candidates are children or adults who have severe hearing loss or impairment. Children who receive cochlear implants must receive intensive therapy to learn speech, language, and social skills. Cochlear implants can help hearing-impaired children learn to communicate better than through therapy alone.

Hearing impaired adults can also benefit from cochlear implants. If an adult has lost hearing later in his or her life, they may be able to associate sounds transmitted through the device with sounds they remember. Many adults still need therapy to learn to interpret sounds.
For adults, the best candidates for cochlear implants include those who:

  • Are severely to profoundly hearing impaired in both ears
  • May not benefit from using hearing aids
  • Have no medical conditions that prevent them from having the surgery

For children, the best candidates for cochlear implants include those who:

  • Are severely to profoundly hearing impaired in both ears
  • May not benefit from using hearing aids
  • Have no medical conditions that make the surgery risky
  • Are able or willing to be involved with intensive speech and hearing rehabilitation
  • Have support from their school or educational program in the development of communication and auditory skills

 

Cochlear Implant Surgery Risks
As with any surgery, there are risks associated with cochlear implantation. The surgery is performed close to many important craniofacial nerves, and there is a possibility that facial paralysis may occur after the surgery. There is also a risk of infection at the surgical site, and a patient may experience pain after the surgery. Other risks include:

  • Blood or fluid collection at incision and surgery site
  • Dizziness and vertigo
  • Tinnitus (ringing in the ear)
  • Numbness around the ear

A person may also experience other complications and lifestyle problems associated with cochlear implants including:

  • A loss of residual hearing
  • Implant failure
  • A person may not be able to have certain medical examinations including MRI’s, iconic radiation therapy, or electroconvulsive therapy as these examinations can damage the implant
  • Static electricity (static electricity can damage a cochlear implant)

Major complications from cochlear implants are rare, and may people report success with cochlear implants.

 

Cost of Cochlear Implants

The total cost of cochlear implants is much more expensive than a hearing aid because of surgery and therapy. The total cost of evaluation, surgery, the device, and hearing therapy can be around $40,000, though many health insurance policies cover at least some of the cost.