A cochlear implant is an electronic machine used for people who are severely hard of hearing or deaf.
They require surgery to be implanted, but you wont be able to hear right afterward.
The gear bypasses the damaged part of the ear, providing electronic stimulation to the auditory nerve.
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This allows people who are severely hard of hearing or deaf to understand speech.
Cochlear implants use components inside and outside the body to stimulate hearing.
Heres a simplified breakdown:
Cochlear Implants vs.
They’re used for people who still can’t hear well enough, even with properly fitted hearing aids.
What Happens During Surgery?
If cochlear implants are needed in both ears, they both will be implanted in the same procedure.
Who Can Benefit From Cochlear Implants?
Cochlear implants are for people who are severely hard of hearing or profoundly deaf.
Cochlear implants are for those who are born deaf, and those who have significanthearing loss.
Presurgical Questions
Not everyone who is deaf or hard of hearing chooses to have cochlear implants.
One of the biggest considerations is that cochlear implants are not a quick fix.
Surgery Qualifications and Testing
If youre considering cochlear implants, talk with your audiologist.
A first step for most people with hearing loss is to try hearing aides.
Children as young as 9 months old can get hearing implants.
Does They Work?
Many people with cochlear implants are able to understand speech, even by phone.
People sometimes describe the sounds as robotic.
It can be difficult to detect emotion in speech through cochlear implants.
With the necessary therapies to get the most out of implants, the process can cost $100,000.
Risks
Cochlear implant surgery is considered very safe.
However, there are some risks including dizziness for about one week after surgery.
One rare but serious risk of cochlear implants ismeningitis.
Because of this, people undergoing cochlear implant surgery should be vaccinated against bacterial meningitis.
Recovery at a Glance
Recovery from cochlear implant surgery is relatively straightforward.
How Long Before Your Hearing Improves?
Most people see big improvements in their hearing during the first six months.
You might have difficulty understanding emotion.
However, many people are able to understand speech and even some music.
Summary
Cochlear implant surgery is relatively straightforward and safe.
However, the process of relearning how to hear using your implant can take a while.
Hearing with a cochlear implant is not the same as hearing with healthy ears and requires significant rehabilitation.
However, many people can understand speech and even enjoy music.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Cochlear implant surgery and rehabilitation.
UConn.What does the world sound like through a cochlear implant?
My Babys Hearing.Cochlear implant costs.
Stanford Medicine.Cochlear implant procedure.
Stanford Health.What to expect from a cochlear implant.
