Question

Cochlear Implants:

How effective are these bionic devices? What are the variables that affect their performance? What should cochlear implant candidates keep in mind?

Answer 1

A cochlear implant is a tiny electronic device which is complex in providing sense of sound to a profoundly deaf patient or individual who is severely hard-of-hearing. The implant has an external portion that sits behind the ear and an interior second portion. It works by bypassing the damaged parts of ear and directly stimulate the auditory nerve which is crucial for recognition of the signals as sound. As of now, cochlear implant is regarded as the world's most successful medical prostheses with less than 0.2% rejection in recipients and 0.5% failure rate. Factors that influence cochlear implants are:

• Age
• Onset of deafness
• Etiology and duration
• Status of the cochlea and auditory nerve,
• Age at implantation,
• Mode of communication,
• Rehabilitation
• Educational environment, motivation and commitment by the patient.

The major cocnerns of cochlear implants are:  bleeding and post surgical infections, device malfunction, weakness of facial nerve, ringing in the ear,vertigo, and poor hearing result. Meningitis is one long-term risk of a cochlear implant.