Cochlear Implants

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Cochlear Implants

• By Victor J. Gabbidon

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Purpose

• A cochlear implant is a surgically implanted
  electronic device that provides a sense of
  hearing in the hearing impaired.
• Not to be confused with hearing aids which simply
  amplify sound for those hard of hearing. Cochlear
  implants work to replicate the natural processes
  of the ear.

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Sensorineural Hearing Loss

• Designed for patients with sensorineural hearing
  loss.
• Caused by abnormalities or lack of quantity in
  the hair cells of the cochlea.
• The implant serves as a makeshift cochlea by
  bypassing the patients improperly functioning
  cochlea.

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Design

• The design of a cochlear implant is composed of 3
  main parts A sound processor, a transmitter, and
  an internal receptor with electrode wires.
• Of the 3 major components, only one is actually
  implanted internally.

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Implantation

• The implantation of the internal portion of the
  device is a relatively simple procedure that can
  be done under general anesthesia.
• A small incision is made behind the ear and the
  device is implanted on the skull.

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Functionality

• Sound processor picks up through microphone and
  converts it to digital code.
• Code is transmitted to internal receptor through
  transmitter that is connected magnetically to
  internal implant.
• Implant converts code to electrical signal which
  is then sent by electrodes to cochleas hearing
  nerve.

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Disadvantages

• In order for the device to be implanted residual
  hair cells in the cochlea must be destroyed.
• Procedure essentially irreversible in terms of
  having the same hearing capacity as before the
  procedure.
• For this reason cochlear implants are typically
  only implanted on one ear

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The Future of Hearing Technology

• Esteem
• Has the ability to restore hearing in patients
  that are legally deaf.
• The device has no external components and is a
  more atheistic alternative to traditional
  implants.

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Sources

• http//www.envoymedical.com/how-esteem-improves-he
  aring
• http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cochlear_implantPart
  s_of_the_cochlear_implant
• http//www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/09/12092
  0120416.htm
• http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sensorineural_hearing
  _loss
• http//www.ele.uri.edu/Courses/bme181/