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A Cochlear Implant
is an electronic
device designed
to provide hearing
for children and
adults who have
severe to profound
sensorineural
hearing loss in
both ears and
show no meaningful
benefit from hearing
aids.
A COCHLEAR
IMPLANT CONSISTS
OF THE FOLLOWING:
Internal parts
- the receiver,
surgically implanted
in the mastoid
bone behind the
ear, with electronics
inserted into
the inner ear
or cochlear.
External parts
- the microphone
and speech processor
convert sound
into an electrical
signal which is
sent to the electrodes
in the inner ear.
These then send
the signal via
the auditory nerve
to the brain,
where it is perceived
as sound.
WHAT ARE THE OUTCOMES?
The evidence tells us that cochlear implantation enables the vast majority of severe to profoundly deaf children to:
- Gain confidence in communication abilities
- Acquire and understand spoken language, speak intelligibly and use the telephone
- Regain independence in everyday life
- To reach their potential in employment
- Have improved literacy and educational attainments
- Attend main stream schools
The evidence tells us that severe to profoundly deafened adults:
- Gain confidence in communication abilities
- Regain independence in everyday life
- Are more able to reach their potential in employment.
We know that:
- Cochlear implantation is safe and reliable
- Cochlear implantation is cost effective for adults and children of all ages
- The earlier children are implanted the better the outcomes
- For adults and children who lose their hearing, the shorter the period of deafness the more effective implantation will be
- Bilateral implantation has been shown to improve listening in noise and localization of sound which are both important in difficult listening situations.
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