COCHLEA IMPLANT

A cochlear implant is an electronic medical device that can be used to replace damaged inner ear

tissues, to perform functions in the same way the damaged tissues used to function Rankovic et.

al (2019) Cochlear does not work as a hearing aid which function’s by making the sound louder

for an individual to hear. Instead it replaces the damaged tissue and functions specifically as the

damaged part of the ear, this may be as a result where an essential part in the auditory system is

not working as they should, and the hearing system nerve fail to be stimulated during

communication time, thus sound cannot reach the brain, impairing the hearing Niparko & J. K

(2009). Therefore; cochlear implant functions by artificially transforming sound vibrations

entering the ear into signals that can be sent to the hearing nerve, whereby the message is sent to

the brain where it is translated into a sound that can be recognized Bester et. al (2018). These

restores hearing capabilities in individuals who have damaged inner ear tissues and have lost

their hearing capabilities and the other conventional hearing aid cannot enable them to hear

again.

A cochlear implant is implanted into the ear through a surgical process and is then linked to an

external activator in which an individual has to wear on the outer part of the ear. The device will

then function by bypassing the damaged auditory system of the ear and directly stimulates the

hearing nerve artificially enabling hearing impaired individuals to perceive sound. Before the

operation process begins, the patient needs to be examined to determine the suitability of the

implant and its expected outcome of the implantation procedure Kral et. al (2019). For an

individual to be able to undergo cochlear implantation; one must have a considerably low benefit

from hearing aids. Also, an individual should have severe damage to the ear tissues, which have

caused a serious hearing loss and interrupts oral communication. It is also advisable for an

individual not to have any medical conditions, that may increase the risks involved with a
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cochlear implant because it may cause side effects, and finally individuals must be familiar with

what they can or cannot be achieved after the implantation has been performed.

A cochlear implant consists of a microphone which picks up sound from the air and directs it to

the ear, it also has a voice processor which selects and organize sounds that have been randomly

selected from the air by a microphone a transmitter that receives sound from the processor and a

stimulator which convert selected voices into electric impulse which can be understood by the

auditory nerve, and a bunch of electrodes that collects the impulse from the stimulator and

transmits it to the brain for interpretation Kral et. al (2019).

Cochlear implant functions in coordination to a sound processor which is fitted behind the ear,

this processor capture sound signals and send them to a receiver found under the skin at the back

of the ear; the receiver will then transmit a signal to electrodes to an inner ear cochlear (snail-

shaped) part of the ear. Bester et. al (2018). The transmitted signal will then stimulate the

auditory nerve that will direct them to the brain for interpretation of signals as sounds.

Cochlear implant functions very differently from hearing aids which amplify/ make it louder so

that it can be detected by the damaged ear tissues, which may sometimes fail to function

depending on the level of damage in the ear tissues Niparko & J. K (2009). Instead, a cochlear

implant bypasses the damaged portion of the ear, and it directly stimulates the ear nerves

artificially generating a signal which will be transmitted through the auditory nerves to the brain,

where it will be recognised as a sound signal Rankovic et. al (2019).

Although cochlear implant produces the sound signal, the sound produced is different from the

sound perceived from normal hearing, this takes time to learn and adapt to the changes.
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However, it enables individuals with damaged ear tissues to recognises warning signals to

understand speech over phones and in person and understand other sounds in the environment.

It takes a lot of training and prolonged timeframe to learn how to interpret the sound signals

received from a cochlear implant, but the result is that an individual gets a broad understanding

of speech Rankovic et. al (2019). Cochlear implant improves speech communication and

relationship life of people with hearing impairment and gets minimal benefits from hearing aids

or find it hard to learn sign language. People who have cochlear implant have a higher ability to

hear speech without needing visual clues from interpreters or reading the lips of the person they

are communicating with. Also, they can recognise natural sounds found in their environment, for

example, voices produced by animals and automobiles Niparko & J. K (2009). They can listen

in a noisy environment; cochlear implant gives an individual the ability to select and differentiate

meaningful speech from noise. They can also be able to know the direction where the sound is

originating from making it easy to communicate with multiple individuals simultaneously. The

implant requires both an intensive therapy to learn and adapt to the sense of hearing and use of

the device, and also a surgical procedure is needed in place for the implantation of the device.

Bester et. al (2018). Although the implant involves some risks complication, it is estimated to

be safer and has more positive effects on the hearing capabilities of individuals with hearing

impairment.

Individuals experience different performance level with a cochlear implant. It is sometimes

successful for some candidates, but it does not work as expected for everyone in that. If one has a

slight hearing capability with hearing aids Kral et. al (2019). One is not eligible for the implant,

also if the hearing loss in an individual is not caused by the problems with the cochlear, cochlear

implant may not help one be able to hear again. Also, individuals with damaged auditory nerves
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cannot benefit from the cochlear transplant since the received voice will fail to be transited to the

brain for interpretation and finally if one has had prolonged deafness cochlear transplant may not

be so suitable. Benefits of a cochlear implant can be varied depending on individuals own

conditions before the implantation.

Cochlear implant surgery takes approximately four hours; where the implant package is placed

and secure under the skin Kral et. al (2019). and inside the skull by drilling a 4-millimetre bed

under the temporary skull bone. the part contains the canal of the ear and facilitation of access of

the middle ear and the then the threading of the wires carrying the transmitter electrodes (spiral

part of the cochlea). And after around three weeks of surgery; the sound processors are matched

with the implant package and is set and tuned to meet individuals hearing needs. Bester et. al

(2018). Which is achieved by measuring the highest and the lowest current for each electrode;

thus, enabling the clinician to find the loudest and the softest sound; which will then be used to

create an approximate match of the original sound, after which the person will be able to hear

some sounds from the devices Niparko & J. K (2009). The process will last a considerable period

before an individual start adopting and learn to interpret the new sounds from the device.

A cochlear implant has a significant positive impact on an individual as with compatibility; it

enables one to be able to restore their hearing capabilities Rankovic et. al (2019). And for those

who were completely deaf will be able to experience hearing capabilities after a series of training

of detecting and imitating associations of sound.

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Reference

Bester, C., Shaul, C., Padmavathi, K. V., Campbel, L. J., Newbold, C., Eastwood, H., & O'Leary,

S. J. (2018). Electrode impedance fluctuations coincide with post-operative hearing loss and

vertigo in cochlear implant recipients. Journal of Hearing Science, 8(2).

Dombrowski, T., Rankovic, V., & Moser, T. (2018). Toward the Optical Cochlear Implant. Cold

Spring Harbor perspectives in medicine, a033225

Kral, A., Dorman, M. F., & Wilson, B. S. (2019). Neuronal Development of Hearing and

Language: Cochlear Implants and Critical Periods. Annual review of neuroscience, 42

Niparko, J. K. (Ed.). (2009). Cochlear implants: Principles & practices. Lippincott Williams &

Wilkins.