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Last Updated: Oct 23, 2019
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Cochlear Implants - The Many Benefits Of It!

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Dr. B. B. KhatriENT Specialist • 41 Years Exp.MS - ENT, MBBS
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You should consider undertaking a cochlear implant in case you are experiencing hearing loss or are turning deaf. This is a small device that gets planted in your ear through a surgical procedure. It sends impulses to your auditory nerves directly, as a result of which sound signals get carried to your brain. Cochlear implants may not make you hear normally again, but help you with different sounds, and in the recognition of the different sounds around you like alarms, telephones, and door bells.

How it works?

  1. A cochlear implant is fit for children and adults who suffer from the sensorineural hearing loss. This condition damages the tiny hair cells in your inner ear, which is called the cochlea. Hearing becomes impaired when these get damaged.
  2. The device consists of two specific parts. The first part or the receiver-stimulator is placed under your skin via a surgical procedure. The other part of the device is the speech processor. It has to be worn around your neck in the form of a hearing aid.
  3. The external device is, however, larger in size than a usual hearing aid. The receiver gets placed under your skin, behind the ear via a small incision. It is connected to electrodes.
  4. This is inserted into the cochlea of your inner ear. The surgery requires a few hours to be undertaken successfully.
  5. The speech processor has to be placed two weeks after the surgery is undertaken. The processor can be connected to the microphone, and this can be worn around the ear.
  6. You can wear it on any other part of your body, based on your lifestyle and age.

Benefits of cochlear implant
The major benefits of a cochlear implant are as follows:

  1. You might be able to hear speech almost normally.
  2. You will be able to understand speech better, and will not have to depend on lip reading.
  3. It will be much easier and simpler for you to listen to the television and talk over the phone.
  4. You will be able to listen to music better.
  5. You may also be able to pick up various sounds around you that include soft, medium, and loud sounds.
  6. You will be able to control your own voice better. This makes other people understand you better.

If you are suffering from severe hearing loss, a cochlear implant may be able to change your life for the better. However, the results are not the same for all, and vary among people. It is possible for some people to benefit more from such an implant than others.

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