Sisäkorvaistutteet

Sisäkorvaistutteet, also known as cochlear implants, are electronic medical devices that bypass damaged parts of the inner ear and directly stimulate the auditory nerve. They can provide a sense of sound to individuals with severe to profound hearing loss who receive little or no benefit from conventional hearing aids. A cochlear implant has two main components: an external part that includes a microphone, speech processor, and transmitter, and an internal part, the receiver-stimulator, which is surgically implanted under the skin.

The microphone picks up sounds, and the speech processor converts these sounds into digital signals. The transmitter sends these signals across the skin to the internal receiver-stimulator. The receiver then converts the digital signals into electrical impulses, which are sent to electrodes placed in the cochlea, the spiral-shaped cavity of the inner ear. These electrodes stimulate the auditory nerve fibers, and the brain interprets these impulses as sound.

Cochlear implant surgery is a complex procedure, and the device requires programming and rehabilitation to achieve optimal results. While they can significantly improve hearing and speech understanding, they do not restore normal hearing. The effectiveness of cochlear implants varies depending on factors such as the duration of deafness, the cause of hearing loss, and the individual's auditory nerve health. Rehabilitation often involves speech therapy and auditory training to help users learn to interpret the new sound information.