There have been many different developments in the hearing devices that are used to help people through their daily lives over the last two decades. However, one device has revolutionized the hearing help industry like no other- the electric cochlear implant. The cochlear implant is a device that requires a surgery to implant, but produces an incredible level of positive outcomes once the surgery is over. Too few people understand how beneficial this device may be, so we are going to take a closer look at the reasons and advantages of this device.
What Are The Benefits?
There are several reasons why people are starting to opt towards getting the cochlear implant rather than a simple hearing aid. The fact that they do not need to use the ears in order to create the sensation of hearing is one of the most incredible aspects of this device. The electric cochlear implant relies upon directly working with the brain in order to create a synthetic form of hearing that allows people to communicate with others when they have run out of other options. While they can be expensive these implants can be life-changing for people who suffer from severe hearing ailments.
What Makes A Cochlear Implant?
A cochlear implant is comprised of several different parts that need to work together in order to produce the sensation of hearing within the individual. To organize the concept of this tool’s design, it is easiest to think about the processes that must occur outside of the body and those that occur within the body. For example, there is the microphone, speech processing unit, and the transmitter located on the outside of the body. The parts of the device that are implanted are the receiver as well as the electrode bundle, the most important piece of the device.
How Does It Work?
The electric cochlear implant needs a source of sound in order to begin functioning. This can come in the form of a conversation or sound from the television. It is picked up by the microphone and then transferred to the speech processing center where sounds are enhanced, prioritized, and ultimately transferred to the transmitter in the form of magnetic waves. The transmitter then takes these sounds and sends them through the skin into the receiver that is mounted inside of the human body. This part of the electric cochlear implant then sends the sound to the electrode bundle via an implanted line. This electrode bundle is then tasked with taking the sound waves that have been fed to it and using them to stimulate the nerves responsible for creating the impression of sound within the brain. The result is that people hear sounds without the need for their ears to translate and transfer the sound. Overall, this is incredibly effective and helpful for people who suffer from the most devastating forms of hearing loss.
