Kuorikontaktia

Kuorikontaktia is a type of foot contact lens device used by people who are born without an ear or have a severely underdeveloped one. It is an external cochlear implant that allows individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing to perceive sound through physical contact with the ear drum.

This device is essentially a molded cover that covers and contacts the ear, while the inner components stimulate the auditory nerve using electrical impulses. The electrode contacts are positioned so that they are closest to the intact area of the cochlear, allowing for effective sound perception. Kuorikontaktia can be a costly solution for those who rely on it for auditory perception and requires maintenance procedures.

In order to fit the device properly, detailed information about the individual's ear anatomy is necessary. This involves imaging studies and significant testing to determine the device's exact positioning. Regular maintenance involves checking the condition of the electrode contacts, as well as replacing the sound processor if damaged.

For individuals relying on kuorikontaktia, the changes in speech or music perception may be radical. Users are likely to notice acoustic hallucinations which, in some cases, might lead to sensory overload. Communication assistance such as lip reading may still be necessary. Kuorikontaktia's option is still limited as compared to other hearing solutions such as cohlear implant procedures.