What is a Cochlear Implant?
Cochlear Implant is a small electronic device implanted in patients with hearing loss to stimulate the cochlear never electrically.
Parts of Cochlear Implant:
This implant is comprised of internal and external parts.
The external part picks up sounds with a microphone and sits behind the ear, processes the sound, and transmits it to the implant's internal part.
During the surgery, the internal part is placed under the skin behind the ear, and it has small electrodes and thin wire that lead to the cochlea – part of the inner ear. This wire sends signals to the cochlear nerve that sends sound information to the brain to produce a hearing sensation,
What are the Advantages of a Cochlear Implant?
A cochlear implant might help someone to improve the ability to hear and understand speech, or someone with hearing loss restore it.
This implant should be considered when a person struggles to understand speech even with appropriately fitted hearing aids.
The cochlear implant can significantly increase hearing in adults when the device is tuned rightly, and the recipient is committed to rehabilitation therapy.
In infants and toddlers, a cochlear implant might help them to learn to speak and listen.
Your need for Cochlear Implant Surgery:
Our ENT surgeon may consider a cochlear implant if you rely on lip-reading and are experiencing hearing loss. Cochlear implant surgery may be indicated in individuals who:
- Cannot get help by hearing aids and experiencing hearing loss
- Has poor hearing in both ears.
- Miss more or half of spoken words without lip-reading even while wearing hearing aids.
- Despite wearing a hearing aid, rely on lip-reading.
Types of Cochlear Implant:
Partially Inserted Cochlear Implant-
A partially inserted cochlear implant can be used to preserve hearing so that cochlear implant and hearing aids can be used simultaneously in the same ear in cases of more moderate hearing loss.
Fully Inserted Cochlear Implant-
Whereas in more severe hearing loss cases, a fully inserted cochlear implant is needed for the full benefit of an electrical hearing.
How Does a Cochlear Implant Work?
Within days after the cochlear implant is turned on, most individuals noticed a significant growth in their awareness of sounds. Within the next six months after the implant, speech understanding improves.
Improvement in speech understanding can be aided with hearing or auditory therapy after surgery.
After the cochlear implant, you will receive instructions on how to take care of the incisions from our doctor. After a day or two, you may wash your ear as usual.
About a week later, after the implant, you will have a follow-up appointment to inspect the incision and remove the stitched.
Dr. Neetu Modgil has unparalleled expertise and skills in cochlear implants and can provide you or your loved ones with the most advanced treatments for hearing issues.