cochlearimplante
A cochlear implant is an electronic medical device that replaces the function of the damaged inner ear (cochlea). Unlike hearing aids, which amplify sound, cochlear implants directly stimulate the auditory nerve. They are surgically implanted and consist of external and internal components. The external part includes a microphone, a speech processor, and a transmitter. The microphone picks up sound, which is then sent to the speech processor. The processor converts the sound into digital signals and transmits them to the internal part, the receiver/stimulator. This internal device is surgically placed under the skin behind the ear and sends electrical impulses to an electrode array implanted in the cochlea. These impulses are then sent via the auditory nerve to the brain, where they are interpreted as sound.
Cochlear implants are typically considered for individuals with severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss who do