A cochlear implant is an electronic device which restores hearing in people suffering from severe hearing loss. Hearing aids are not sufficient for them. In case of severe damage to the receptors in the inner ear, cochlear implants are the best alternatives. A cochlear implant stimulates the auditory nerve to improve hearing rather than only amplifying the sound. It is made up of two components- one placed externally and the other is put inside- which are coupled by a magnet.
Physical examination of the ear can help diagnose ear infections and possible reasons for hearing loss. A tuning fork test may also be conducted in order to determine the part of the ear that is damaged or affected. Audiology exams are also conducted to assess the loss in hearing. Several imaging tests such as MRI scan and CT scan can also help view the internal parts of the ear.
A cochlear implant is an effective treatment for severe hearing loss. The external part of the cochlear implant consists of a microphone, a speech processor and a transmitter. The transmitter is linked to the internal part of the implant. The sounds are received by the microphone and are passed onto the processor. The processor analyzes and converts the signal and then transfers it to the transmitter. The transmitter codes the signals and sends it to the receiver through the magnetic coupling.
The internal part of the implant contains the receiver which is implanted under the temporal bone. The receiver converts the sound to electrical signals which get transferred to the electrodes that are inserted in the ear. These electrodes then stimulate the auditory nerve. Therefore, hearing is facilitated by the help of the cochlear implant.