Understanding Cochlear Implants

What is cochlear damage?
The cochlea is a complex organ within the inner ear, which is responsible for translating physical sound waves into electrical information the brain can recognize as sound. The cochlea is lined with thousands of tiny hair-like nerves called cilia. When sound waves enter the ear in the form of vibrations, the cilia convert the vibrations into nerve impulses. If extremely loud sound enters the ear, the cilia can become damaged or non-functioning, causing irreversible cochlear damage.

• Microphone: picks up sound from the environment
• Speech processor: arranges sounds picked up by microphone
• Transmitter and stimulator: receives signals from speech processor and converts them into electric impulses
• Electrode array: collects the impulses from the stimulator and sends them to the auditory nerve

• Patients who have severe to profound hearing loss usually in both ears
• Patients who receive little to no benefit from hearing aids
• Patients who have lost hearing after speech and language development
• Patients who have a strong motivation to be part of the hearing world
• Young children who are still be in the critical speech development period of their lives

• Improved ability to understand speech and sound
• Focus in noisier environments
• Improved perception of a variety of sounds
• Ability to talk and hear in a phone conversation
• Enjoy music