Cochlear Implant System
In spite of the advancements in Hearing aid technology there is a segment of clients where hearing aids may not be of much help. Then cochlear implants can be considered as an option.

What is a Cochlear Implant system?

A cochlear implant is an implanted electronic hearing device, designed to produce useful hearing sensations to a person with severe to profound nerve deafness by electrically stimulating nerves inside the inner ear.

What is the principle of Cochlear Implant system?

The cochlear implant replaces the deficient Cochlea. The auditory nerve is stimulated directly by sounds picked by the processor.
Sound is picked up by the microphone in the processor and is then digitized and processed.

The signal is sent to the implant, which is placed surgically under the skin. It receives info from the processor and directs it to the 20 electrodes placed in the cochlea.

As with a piano each electrode corresponds to a sound frequency band. The auditory nerve endings in contact with the electrode transmit pulses to the brain where they are interpreted as sounds.

How does one go about getting the cochlear implant?

Cochlear implants are performed in hospitals and some specialized ENT clinics. The decision to implant would be based on the outcome of elaborate tests which includes a detailed Audiological Evaluation, medical check up and psychological assessment. The implant operation is carried out under general anesthesia and lasts 2 hours. It would require the patient to be in the hospital for a few days. The initial adjustments of the implant are carried out one week to one month after surgery.

Can one hear immediately after the surgery?

It is an ongoing process. The first adjustment of the implant is carried out one week to one month after surgery. Our audiologist will adapt the processor for the patient and adjust the settings. Adjustment programs are necessary and the frequency of the settings will depend on the age, the length of time the person has been hearing impaired and on the results achieved.

At the same time, an intensive program of speech therapy will be necessary. It will be longer for pre-lingual children but easier for adults who have been hearing impaired for some time.

Will it change one's life?

One of our youngest clients was fitted with hearing aids at the age of 4 months but his parents were counselled to go for cochlear implant when the boy grew older. Today his hearing has improved considerably. And he has the strength to talk to anybody because his self confidence has grown.

To know if you/your child is a candidate for cochlear implants please give us a call Today.