COCHLEAR IMPLANTS
Worldwide, approximately one person in a thousand is born deaf. Almost
an equal number of people born with hearing will develop deafness during
their lifetime. Approximately 250,000 to 500,000 people in the United States
could benefit from a cochlear implant.
HOW COCHLEAR IMPLANTS WORK
The cochlear implant is an electronic device which restores partial hearing
to the totally deaf. It is not a hearing aid in the sense of making sound
louder or clearer. It is, instead, a medical device which actually bypasses
damaged hair cells in the inner ear and electronically stimulates the auditory
nerve. Once the nerve fibers are stimulated, the signal will travel directly
to the brain.
There are many styles of cochlear implant systems. However, they all consist
of an external microphone, signal processor, and signal coupler (transmitter
and receiver), as well as one or more electrodes that are surgically implanted
in or around the cochlea (temporal bone).
The microphone and signal processor are worn like a hearing aid with either
1) a transmitter outside the body with a receiver inside, or 2) a connector
that protrudes through the skin just behind the ear. Both provide a direct
connection between the signal processor and electrodes.
BECOMING A COCHLEAR IMPLANT PATIENT
The cochlear implant is designed only for individuals who receive little
benefit from hearing aids. Candidates are usually two years of age or older.
Before deciding to become a cochlear implant patient, it is important to
clearly understand the time commitment. Therapy involves extensive evaluations,
including otologic, audiologic, radiographic and psychological tests, surgery
and rehabilitation.
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM A COCHLEAR IMPLANT
Cochlear implants do not provide normal hearing. The majority of totally
deaf patients who receive a cochlear implant are able to detect medium to
loud sounds, including speech at comfortable listening levels. They can
also learn to recognize some familiar sounds. For many individuals, cochlear
implants aid in communication by improving speechreading ability. They are
then able to combine what they see with clues from the sounds and rhythms
of speech. In a smaller number of patients, the implant provides some understanding
(discrimination) of words or sentences without the use of lip-reading.
Results vary for different individuals, depending on factors such as age
at time of deafness, age at implant surgery, duration of deafness, status
of the remaining auditory nerve fibers, training, etc. There is a small
number of patients for whom a cochlear implant is not beneficial. Cochlear
implant clinics can explain reasonable expectations for each situation.
COSTS
A cochlear implant is considerably more expensive than a hearing aid. Total
costs (evaluation, surgery, device, rehabilitation) may range from about
$15,000 to more than $25,000. If the cochlear implant device is approved
by the FDA, many insurance companies will provide benefits that cover some
or much of the cost.
This information has been provided as a public service from the
American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Inc., One Prince
Street, Alexandria VA 22314-3357
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