Cochlear Implants have the ability to correct the hearing loss by stimulating the auditory nerve and allow the users to undergo life-changing hearing experiences such as decrease misunderstandings, dropped conversations, and social isolation.
How does it work?
The cochlear implant’s main functions are to detect and send sound to the inner ear implant. Damaged ear hair cells are the cause of hearing loss. They do not allow normal sound detection. Cochlear Implants can bypass the damaged hair cells and send electrical signals directly to the brain.
Cochlear implants include a microphone that catches sound vibrations and converts it to a digital signal. The signal is then sent to the auditory tissue through electronic impulses. The impulses are sent to the brain whereby they are interpreted into sound.
The Ideal Candidate
Cochlear Implants are not recommended for children younger than two years old. The device is also not recommended for certain medical conditions, such as high blood pressure, circulatory problems, or diabetes. In this article, we will be looking at the benefits and risks of Cochlear Implants.
Benefits
Cochlear Implants do not cure hearing loss, but it can improve hearing, and it could be a step toward restoring hearing to those who may have lost it in the past. Some benefits include:
1. Design to last a lifetime
2. Improve hearing for patients with severe hearing loss.
3. Can be used with hearing aids to improve hearing
4. Cochlear Implants are covered by medical insurance
5. Some Cochlear Implants are waterproof, making possible to swim in them
6. Hear sounds like you never heard, such as music and birds sounds
Risks
All surgical processes or procedures carry some type of risks, and Cochlear Implants are no different. However, the side effects of the implantation of the device are mild. Some of the side effects include excess irritation and bleeding, which goes away after a few days. Some other risks include:
1. One of the main risks is that Cochlear Implants may be damaged. A damaged device can cause infection, so it must be repaired or replaced.
2. Cochlear implants require maintenance ongoing, and the maintenance must be configured, fitted, or replaced by a licensed audiologist.
3. Most Cochlear Implants users experience improvement, but there are no guarantees. There is a possibility that you might not receive any benefits from wearing them.
Conclusion
Many people have had a Cochlear Implants and have said that it works well. If you are considering a Cochlear Implants, make sure that your doctor is an audiologist. An audiologist has the training and expertise necessary to make sure that the procedure is done properly. He can also counsel you about the complications and risks that may arise after the procedure.