A cochlear implant is an electronic hearing device for adults and children with profound hearing loss. They have 2 main parts: an implant and a sound processor.
The implant has an electrode that’s surgically placed into the cochlea of the inner ear. The sound processor sits outside the body and transfers sound into the implant.
Cochlear implants are a suitable option for people that are deaf or have profound hearing loss that can’t be corrected by hearing aids.
How cochlear implants restore hearing
Normal Hearing:
Sound waves move through the ear canal and strike the eardrum.
These soundwaves cause the eardrum and bones of the middle ear to vibrate.
The vibrations move through the fluid in the cochlea and cause tiny hair cells to move.
The movement of the hair cells produces electrical impulses that travel through the hearing nerve into the brain to be interpreted as sound.
Hearing With A Cochlear Implant:
The speech processir captures sound and converts it into digital code.
The speech processor transmits the digitally coded sound to the implant just under the skin.
The implant converts the digitally coded sound to electrical signals and sends them to the electrode placed inside the cochlear.
The electric signals stimulate the hearing nerve and travel to the brain to produce hearing sensations.
When to consider a cochlear implant
Hearing aids make sounds louder. Cochlear implants are different; they bypass the damaged part of the ear and stimulate the hearing nerve directly.
This enhances the clarity of sounds and improves ability to understand speech.
Here are some general guidelines for when a Cochlear implant may be right:
Completely deaf in both ears.
No improvement in sound from hearing aids.
Motivated to learn how to use a cochlear implant.
Reasonable expectations about how the device provides hearing.
Book a hearing screening with us now to see if a cochlear implant is right for you or your loved ones.
Rehabilitation and support are a critical part of learning to use a cochlear implant.
We have staff nationwide who are fully trained to provide counselling and Auditory Verbal Therapy.
No-one else in Sri Lanka is equipped to provide this service.
Cochlear Implant Products
Nucleus 7 Sound Processor
The Nucleus® 7 Sound Processor is the smallest and lightest behind-the-ear cochlear implant sound processor. It has built-in, advanced technology that provides direct audio streaming from a compatible Apple or Android™ device. Comes in six colours, so you can choose the shade you prefer.
Cochlear’s latest off-the-ear sound processor: advanced connectivity and proven hearing performance technology in a simple and durable all-in-one design. Designed to be so discreet and so comfortable you’ll barely notice you’re wearing it.
