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Cochlear Implant
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.
The signs or symptoms that indicate the requirement of a cochlear implant are-
- Pain in one or both ears
- Vertigo and Dizziness
- Ringing in the ears
- Pressure felt in the ears
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.
There are several risks involved in a cochlear implant:
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Device malfunction
- Weakness in the facial nerve
- Ringing in the ear
- Dizziness
- Poor hearing result
- Cerebrospinal Fluid leakage due to perforation in the internal ear
- Meningitis
- Ringing and Popping of ear
- Dizziness
- Drainage or discharge
- Dry mouth
- No sense of taste
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Cochlear Implant
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.
Symptoms
The signs or symptoms that indicate the requirement of a cochlear implant are-
- Pain in one or both ears
- Vertigo and Dizziness
- Ringing in the ears
- Pressure felt in the ears
Diagnosis
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.
Treatment
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.
Risks
There are several risks involved in a cochlear implant:
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Device malfunction
- Weakness in the facial nerve
- Ringing in the ear
- Dizziness
- Poor hearing result
- Cerebrospinal Fluid leakage due to perforation in the internal ear
- Meningitis
After Procedure
- Ringing and Popping of ear
- Dizziness
- Drainage or discharge
- Dry mouth
- No sense of taste
FAQ Section
A cochlear implant is a neuroprosthetic device which is implanted in patients suffering from severe to profound hearing loss. It is recommended when the severity of the hearing loss condition is so extreme, that it makes the use of hearing aids ineffective. This device does not help in curing or restoring hearing loss, in fact, it functions through bypassing the normal acoustic process by directly stimulating the auditory nerve.
Tinnitus is a medical term for the perception of sound or ringing in the ears even when there is no actual source of sound present in the external environment. The treatment of tinnitus in single-sided deafness (SSD), is controversial and is under scientific scrutiny, as there is no predefined treatment method for this condition. However, several studies have indicated that cochlear implants have helped in suppressing tinnitus in SSD. No tinnitus worsening have been reported in any of the cases. It has been observed that tinnitus condition stabilizes after a period of three to six months after implantation.
Cochlear Implant Surgery is usually considered to be a safe one. However, every surgery is associated with a significant amount of general complications. Some of them include:
- Bleeding due to the surgery
- Infections
- Nerve damages resulting in weakness or paralysis on the face
- Dizziness or loss of balance
- Tinnitus
- Stopping of the functioning of the implant, requiring it to be repaired or replaced.
- Meningitis
Cochlear Implants are most effective among children, especially those in the age group of 0-3 years. The treated children have been able to achieve 90-95% hearing and language improvement. About 80-90% of these children have been able to develop hearing and speech capability, equal to that of normal children.
Among adults, studies have shown that up to 80% of the treated patients have improved their hearing in all aspects like environmental sounds, voice control, performance with a few limitations like noisy, crowded or long distance conversations.
A cochlear implant plays the role of a hearing aid, in cases where hearing aids have proved to be ineffective. It does not really cure deafness but is a neuro prosthetic substitute which directly stimulates the cochlea enabling the sense of perception of sound to the patient suffering from hearing impairment.
Cochlear implant surgery is performed for the implantation of a neuroprosthetic implant aid to help patients with hearing impairments. The surgery is conducted after administering general anesthesia to the patient. The surgeon will then make a small incision on the rear side of the ear, and in some cases, some amount of hair may be shaved from the incision site.
This is followed by placing the implant under the skin and insertion of the electrode into the inner ear. The surgical team will then asses your response to the implant and make the necessary adjustments. The incision site is then closed, most likely with disposable stitches thus eliminating the need for further removal of the stitches.
The major disadvantage occurring due to a cochlear implant is that it cannot cure deafness, but can only assist in the better hearing by stimulating the auditory nerve directly. Sometimes, the implant may stop working demanding a replacement or repair. Other associated complications like meningitis, infections, bleeding etc. are some of the downsides that need to be taken into consideration while undergoing a cochlear implant surgery.
A slight amount of pain around your ear and slight headaches may follow after the procedure has been performed. This may occur due to surgery. Your surgeon will instruct you about the medications to be taken in case of any pain. However, any kind of extreme pain must be immediately reported and dealt without any further delay.
No, it is not major surgery. This surgery involves the installing of an implant in the inner ear to aid in the hearing process of a patient suffering from hearing impairment.
The success rate of cochlear implants is extremely high, both in adults and in children of about 80-90%. It may fail in very rare cases when the condition is not physically stable or the intensity of the condition is severe.
The best age to undergo a cochlear implant is 0-3 years as studies have proven that patients of the above-mentioned age group who have undergone surgery are able to restore their speech and hearing capacities equal to that of normal children. When compared to adults, this surgery is more effective in children.
The cost of Cochlear Implants in India varies across different cities and hospitals.
| CITY | COST |
| Cost of Cochlear Implants in Mumbai | INR 600000- INR 1000000 |
| Cost of Cochlear Implants in Bangalore | INR 580000- INR 980000 |
| Cost of Cochlear Implants in Delhi | INR 580000- INR 980000 |
| Cost of Cochlear Implants in Chennai | INR 570000- INR 970000 |