Cochlear Implants

Introduction

• Cochlear implants are a surgical procedure designed to restore hearing.
• They are used for individuals with sensorineural hearing loss, also known as nerve deafness.

Sensorineural Hearing Loss

• Normal Hearing Process:
  • Sound waves enter the ear, travel through the auditory canal.
  • Eardrum vibrates, causing middle ear bones to vibrate.
  • Fluid in the cochlea moves, stimulating hair cells.
  • Hair cells produce electrical signals sent to the brain.
• Hearing Loss Issue:
  • Conversion of sound to electrical signals does not work properly.

Cochlear Implant Components

• Receiver:
  • Implanted part that receives information.
  • Extends into the cochlea through a tube known as a stimulator.
• Transmitter:
  • Positioned outside the skull.
  • Receives electrical information from the speech processor.
• Speech Processor:
  • Collects sound through a microphone.
  • Converts sound waves into electrical impulses.

Functionality of Cochlear Implants

• Sound waves hit the microphone on the speech processor.
• Microphone converts sound into electrical signals.
• Signals sent to the transmitter outside the skull.
• Transmitter sends signals to the receiver inside the skull.
• Receiver transmits signals through the stimulator into the cochlea.
• Cochlea converts electrical impulses into neural impulses.
• Neural impulses travel via auditory nerve to the brain for sound processing.

Outcome

• Cochlear implants restore some degree of hearing to individuals with sensorineural hearing loss.