Like most hearing people I had no idea that technology had advanced to the point deaf people could “hear” from bionic implants. Recently deaf like myself, as well as born deaf.
The external hardware is getting smaller and better. In a few years it will all be internal.
The basics...
Hearing aid vs Cochlear Implant..
A hearing aid amplifies sound. I.e. you need some middle ear and inner ear functionality or it doesn't work.
A CI sends electrical signals direct to the cochlear. The brain interprets these as sounds. So no hearing is needed.
The basics...
Hearing aid vs Cochlear Implant..
A hearing aid amplifies sound. I.e. you need some middle ear and inner ear functionality or it doesn't work.
A CI sends electrical signals direct to the cochlear. The brain interprets these as sounds. So no hearing is needed.
The bits..
Implanted:- Electrodes are threaded through your cochlear spiral. These lead back to a transmitter just under the skin, behind the ear.
The main performance factors are
Worn on the head:- A sound receiver / processor, behind your ear, converts sound to electric signals and delivers through the skin, via magnetic induction to the inside bits.
Implant performance factors
1. Length. The cochlear picks up high to low frequencies along its length. The greater the coverage the greater the range of frequency possible.
2. Number of Electrodes. The more electrodes the more individual "notes".
3. The electrode spacing / focus of stimulation. The stimulation can fan out and excite other neighboring areas causing noise.
Note the health of residual auditory nerve cells is key. Without these the best implant still won't work.
Implanted:- Electrodes are threaded through your cochlear spiral. These lead back to a transmitter just under the skin, behind the ear.
The main performance factors are
Worn on the head:- A sound receiver / processor, behind your ear, converts sound to electric signals and delivers through the skin, via magnetic induction to the inside bits.
Implant performance factors
1. Length. The cochlear picks up high to low frequencies along its length. The greater the coverage the greater the range of frequency possible.
2. Number of Electrodes. The more electrodes the more individual "notes".
3. The electrode spacing / focus of stimulation. The stimulation can fan out and excite other neighboring areas causing noise.
Note the health of residual auditory nerve cells is key. Without these the best implant still won't work.
Expectations / Success of CI..
It can range from zero to almost perfect hearing use. In between is helping to lip read or hear danger alerts.
Surgery timetable.
Implant surgery. Hospital stay 1-2 days US and UK. 7 days Japan.
2-4 weeks later external hardware is added. Techician works on software to optimize initial hearing. Rehab training starts to build on brains interpreting skills, 6-12 months later still seeing improvements.
Surgery limits.It can range from zero to almost perfect hearing use. In between is helping to lip read or hear danger alerts.
Surgery timetable.
Implant surgery. Hospital stay 1-2 days US and UK. 7 days Japan.
2-4 weeks later external hardware is added. Techician works on software to optimize initial hearing. Rehab training starts to build on brains interpreting skills, 6-12 months later still seeing improvements.
Bone growth after infection may have sealed the cochlear. Drilling has its limits.
Impact on residual hearing.
High risk of destroying the chance of hearing naturally again, due to the damage to the residual cochlean hairs.
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