What is a cochlear implant and how does it work?
A cochlear implant is an electronic device able to compensate for non-functioning parts of the inner ear. When the device detects sound, impulses are sent through the auditory nerve to the brain, creating an effect similar to hearing. Traditional hearing aids simply amplify sound; however, a cochlear implant converts sound into electrical impulses the brain can interpret.
The cochlear implant is surgically inserted under the skin behind the ear. Electrodes are attached to provide a direct pathway to the actual cochlea in the inner ear.
While the device does not completely restore hearing, most recipients are able to receive significant auditory clues enabling them to speak and understand oral communication.
Who is eligible?
Cochlear implants have been effectively used with people of all ages, from twelve months to over 100 years old. There is no defined age restriction for the implant; however, it may not be medically appropriate for everyone.
The cochlear implant provides a possible alternative when hearing aids no longer provide sufficient assistance. Best results appear to occur with young children or adults who experienced hearing loss later in life.
Extensive post-procedure therapy is required for any recipient. Children have the best opportunity to acquire the necessary speech, language, developmental and social skills, while adults have the advantage of being able to associate sounds created by the implant with sounds they remember prior to their hearing loss.
What to consider?
The decision to receive a cochlear implant is very personal and is a life-changing choice impacting not only the individual but their family and friends. Wearing an implant is a lifetime commitment requiring extensive maintenance and rehabilitative follow-up.
In addition to your surgeon and doctor, an implant team consisting of medical specialists, audiologists, speech and language pathologists, educators, psychologists, and counselors. These individuals will play a role in determining a recipient’s suitability as well as post-procedure therapy and rehabilitation.
Facts and Figures
- Deafness is America’s leading birth defect.
-Source: World Council on Hearing Health
- Approximately 28 million Americans have experienced some degree of hearing loss, including 17 of every 1,000 children under age 18.
-Source: National Institute on Deafness & Other Communication Disorders
- At least 1 million American children are deaf or hearing impaired.
-Source: National Institutes of Health
- In the U.S. alone, at least 12,000 babies are born each year with some degree of hearing loss; 90% of these births are to hearing parents.
-Source: National Institute on Deafness & Other Communication Disorders
- Despite the fact that one out of ten people are impacted by hearing loss, hearing studies attract less than one percent of medical research dollars.
-Source: National Institutes of Health
- To date, it is estimated that only 59,000 people world-wide have received the implant.
-Source: National Institute on Deafness & Other Communication Disorders
- Less than one-half of the children who qualify for a cochlear implant actually receive one.
-Source: Cochlear Implant Center
- Thirty-three babies are born with hearing loss each day in the U.S.
-Source: Advanced Bionics
- Profound deafness occurs in approximately 0.3% of the U.S. population of children under five.
-Source: Advanced Bionics
- Cochlear implants are a viable option when conventional hearing aids cannot restore hearing to levels required for effective auditory communication.
-Source: Advanced Bionics
- An estimated one million Americans are candidates, yet over 90 percent of adult candidates and over 50 percent of pediatric candidates do not access the technology and its life changing benefits.
-Source: Advanced Bionics
- Children as young as twelve months can receive a cochlear implant and there is no age limit to get a cochlear implant – people over 100 years of age have benefited from the technology.
-Source: Advanced Bionics
- Cochlear implants have proven to be safe and effective, resulting in a positive impact on quality of life.
-Source: Advanced Bionics
- Hearing performance with cochlear implants includes significant improvement even in the most challenging listening environments, such as noisy environments and music perception.
-Source: Advanced Bionics
- Outcomes with cochlear implants continue to improve with advances in technology.
-Source: Advanced Bionics
