By
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- Dr. Kunal Nigam, ENT Specialist
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Cochlear implants are electronic devices designed to provide a sense of sound to individuals with severe to profound hearing loss. Here's a breakdown of the information you provided:

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1. Components of Cochlear Implants
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‍• External piece: Speech processor, worn behind the ear, with a microphone and computer to code sound into electrical signals.

• Transmitting coil: Sends signals to an internally implanted receiving coil.

• Internally implanted part: Receiver/stimulator placed below the skin.

• Electrode array: Implanted in the inner ear to stimulate the hearing nerve.
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2. Function of Cochlear Implants

• Cochlear implants do not "fix" hearing loss but provide access to sounds, including speech.

• The implant takes over the function of damaged or missing cells in the inner ear by transmitting coded signals through electrodes to stimulate the hearing nerve.

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3. Normal Hearing with Cochlear Implants

• Cochlear implants do not restore normal hearing but, with consistent aural habitation and practice, users can often learn to understand spoken language.

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4. Candidates for Cochlear Implants

• Both adults and children who learned to talk before becoming deaf or had normal or partial hearing may benefit.

• For congenitally deaf children, early implantation (before 3 years old, ideally) maximizes language potential.

• Candidates must have severe or profound sensorineural hearing loss in both ears, and those with auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder may also be considered.

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5. Age for Cochlear Implantation

• Children can receive cochlear implants starting at 10 to 12 months of age.

• Evaluations should begin around 3 to 4 months of age, and congenitally deaf children should ideally have surgery before 3 years old.

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6. Surgery Procedure

• Surgery is performed under general anesthesia, taking three to six hours.

• The receiver/stimulator is placed under the skin, and the electrode array is inserted into the inner ear.

• Post-surgery, a short hospital stay is typical, and a parent or caregiver is encouraged to stay with the child.

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7. Risks of Cochlear Implant Surgery

• Rare risks include facial nerve paralysis, loss of taste sensation, dizziness, or ringing in the ear.

• The surgery typically removes any residual hearing in the ear where the implant is placed, but hearing in the opposite ear can be enhanced with a conventional hearing aid when appropriate.

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