What is a cochlear implant?
A cochlear implant is a medical device designed to provide a sense of sound to individuals with severe to profound hearing loss who do not benefit significantly from traditional hearing aids. Unlike hearing aids that amplify sounds, cochlear implants work by directly stimulating the auditory nerve. The implant consists of an external component, which captures and processes sound, and an internal component surgically placed under the skin. The internal component includes electrodes inserted into the cochlea, the part of the inner ear responsible for hearing. These electrodes stimulate the auditory nerve, allowing individuals with cochlear implants to perceive sound signals. Cochlear implants are particularly effective for individuals with sensorineural hearing loss, where the inner ear or auditory nerve is damaged, and they have been transformative in providing improved auditory experiences and language development for those who are eligible and undergo the implantation process.