Cochlear Implant Program

A cochlear implant is an electronic device that replaces damaged or absent hair cells located in the inner ear, also known as the cochlea. These hair cells normally transmit stimulation to the hearing nerve fibers. When there is significant damage to these hair cells, a cochlear implant may be inserted to artificially replace the hair cell function. 

1. Sound waves enter the cochlear implant system through an external microphone. The sound waves are converted into electrical signals.
2. The electrical signals are then sent to the speech processor.
3. The speech processor converts the electrical signals into codes developed for sound and speech understanding.
4. The coded signals are sent to the headpiece and transmitted across the skin to the cochlear implant (in the skull) via radio waves.
5. The cochlear implant decodes the signals and delivers them to the electrodes located inside the cochlea.
6. The electrodes stimulate the hearing nerve fibres within the cochlea, which in turn send electrical impulses to the brain. The brain then interprets the stimulation as sound and speech.

This may appear like a slow process, but it occurs so rapidly that sounds are actually perceived as they happen. The new sound perception allows a deaf person to improve their ability to communicate. 

The range of potential benefits with a cochlear implant varies across users and may include the following:

• Environmental awareness and responsiveness.
• Reconnection with the world of sound.
• Better speech understanding compared to the use of a hearing aid.
• Less dependence on family members and friends for day-to-day living.
• Better communication with family and loved ones.
• Ability to talk on the phone.
• Better appreciation of music. 

An implant does not cure deafness. People with cochlear implants do not have normal hearing. They often continue to struggle to hear in difficult listening situations, such as when distance and background noise are present. When the cochlear implant system is turned off, there is no sound.

It takes time, motivation and patience to learn to use a cochlear implant and to achieve its full benefits.

Cochlear implants are electronic devices. Similar to a hearing aid, at times, the external pieces malfunction and require replacement.

Your expectations of the cochlear implant should be thoroughly discussed with your audiologist to ensure that you truly understand what it can and cannot accomplish for you.