Cochlear Implants

At Link Audiology, we specialize in fitting and supporting cochlear implants. Visit us at our locations in Silverdale, Vashon, and University Place, WA, to learn more about how cochlear implants can improve your hearing and quality of life.

What is a cochlear implant?

A cochlear implant is a small electronic device that can help people with severe hearing loss when hearing aids aren’t enough. Unlike hearing aids, which make sounds louder, a cochlear implant does something different. It turns sounds into electrical signals that can go directly to the nerve in the ear. The implant has two parts: one part goes inside the ear through surgery, and the other part sits outside the ear, like a hearing aid.

The part inside the ear has tiny wires that send sound signals to the brain by stimulating the nerve. The part outside has a microphone to pick up sounds and a processor to change those sounds into signals. These signals are sent to the inside part of the skin, which then stimulates the nerve, allowing a person to hear. Cochlear implants are really helpful for people who can’t hear well, even with strong hearing aids. They can help people hear things like music, speech, and other important sounds.

Parts of a cochlear implant

A cochlear implant has two main parts: the external part and the internal part. The external part sits outside the ear and has three pieces: a microphone, a speech processor, and a transmitter. The microphone picks up sounds around you. The speech processor turns these sounds into digital signals. The transmitter sends these signals to the internal part of the implant.

The internal part is placed inside the ear during surgery. It has two pieces: a receiver and an electrode array. The receiver gets the signals from the transmitter. It sends these signals to the electrode array, which is a tiny wire with electrodes. The electrode array goes into the cochlea, a spiral-shaped part of the inner ear. The electrodes stimulate the hearing nerve inside the cochlea. This nerve sends the signals to the brain, where they are understood as sounds. This way, a person can hear better even if their natural hearing ability is very poor.

How does a cochlear implant work?

A cochlear implant helps people hear by turning sounds into electrical signals. Here’s how it works:

First, the microphone on the outside of the implant picks up sounds. These sounds go to the speech processor, which changes them into digital signals. The transmitter, also on the outside, sends these signals to the internal part of the implant.

Inside the ear, the receiver gets the signals and sends them to the electrode array. The electrode array is a tiny wire with electrodes that is put into the cochlea, a part of the inner ear. The electrodes send electrical signals to the hearing nerve.

The hearing nerve then carries these signals to the brain, which understands them as sounds. This process allows a person to hear even if their normal hearing is very weak.

Who gets cochlear implants?

Cochlear implants are for people who have severe hearing loss and can’t hear well, even with strong hearing aids. Both children and adults can use these implants. Here’s who might get one:

Children: Children who are born deaf or lose their hearing at a young age can benefit greatly from cochlear implants. Getting an implant early can help them develop better speech and language skills. Children as young as nine months can get a cochlear implant.

Adults: Adults who lose their hearing later in life can also get cochlear implants. This can happen due to things like infections, injuries, or other health issues. Adults who have lost most or all of their hearing in both ears and don’t get much help from hearing aids might be good candidates.

People with Specific Conditions: Some people have conditions that affect the inner ear, like Meniere’s disease or severe otosclerosis, making cochlear implants a good option for them.

Before getting a cochlear implant, people go through several tests and evaluations. Doctors check how much hearing loss there is and whether a cochlear implant will help. They also look at the overall health of the person to make sure they can handle the surgery.

Cochlear implants are not for everyone with hearing loss. They work best for those with severe to profound hearing loss. People with mild to moderate hearing loss might not qualify to get a cochlear implant. Doctors, audiologists, and sometimes speech therapists help decide to get a cochlear implant.

How does someone receive a cochlear implant?

Is getting a cochlear implant safe?

Getting a cochlear implant is generally safe, but like any surgery, there are some risks. Common risks include infection, swelling, or dizziness. Sometimes, problems with the implant can require more surgery. Most people do well after the operation.

What happens during cochlear implant surgery?

During cochlear implant surgery, a doctor called a surgeon puts the implant inside your ear. Here’s what happens:

Anesthesia: First, you get a medicine called anesthesia to make you sleep so you don’t feel anything.
Incision: The surgeon makes a small cut behind your ear.
Implant Placement: The surgeon places the internal part of the cochlear implant under your skin and into your inner ear. This part has tiny electrodes that will help you hear.
Closing the Incision: After everything is in place, the surgeon closes the cut.

The surgery usually takes a few hours. After the surgery, you may feel a little dizzy or sore, but this usually goes away soon. You’ll go home the same day or the next day, and in 2 weeks, the implant will be turned on to start helping you hear better.

What happens after cochlear implant surgery?

After cochlear implant surgery, here’s what to expect:

Recovery Period: You’ll need a few weeks to heal. Right after the surgery, you might feel dizzy or have a sore ear. These feelings usually go away in a few days.

Possible Side Effects: Some side effects include swelling, discomfort, or a small risk of infection. Rarely a problem with the implant requires more surgery.

Activation: A few weeks after surgery, you’ll visit the audiologist to turn on the external part of the implant. This is called activation. At first, sounds might seem strange or robotic.

Adjustment Period: It takes time to get used to hearing with the implant. You’ll work with audiologists and sometimes speech therapists to learn how to understand these new sounds better.

Regular Check-ups: You’ll have regular appointments to make sure the implant is working well and to adjust settings as needed.

With time and practice, most people find their hearing improves greatly, and they can enjoy better everyday sounds.

Learning to Interpret Sounds

Learning to interpret sounds with a cochlear implant takes time because it works differently from a hearing aid. A hearing aid makes sounds louder, so you hear them like before, just louder. A cochlear implant, however, changes sounds into electrical signals sent to your brain. At first, these sounds can seem strange or robotic. You will work with audiologists and speech therapists to learn how to understand these new sounds. It takes practice and patience, but over time, your brain gets better at recognizing and understanding these sounds, making hearing easier and more natural.