Cochlear Implants: What they are and who they help

In short, a cochlear implant is a revolutionary medical procedure that can restore hearing to those with even the most severe hearing loss. Sierra View District Hospital is currently the only facility performing cochlear implants between Los Angeles and the Bay Area.

Cochlear implants are hearing assistive devices that are inserted into the patient’s cochlea (inner ear). They directly stimulate the nerve that transmits signals to the brain resulting in the sense of hearing. There is also an external device that looks much like a hearing aid that rests behind the ear. This portion of the device takes sound and converts it into digital signals that are transmitted into the internal receiver.

Cochlear implants are intended for people whose hearing loss is severe enough that a hearing aid provides very little or no benefit in improving their hearing. Initially the implants were designed for adults whom had hearing at one time but later lost it. Now the indications have expanded to include children and now even infants born deaf.

There are several criteria that need to be met before someone is selected to receive an implant. There needs to be an intact cochlea and nerve bath to the brain. There are some conditions that interfere with this. There also has to be a desire to undergo a surgical procedure as well as a rehabilitative program following the surgery. There are always some potential risks with any surgery and the brain needs time to adjust to the new signals being sent to it by the device.

Cochlear implants certainly aren’t for everyone with impaired hearing but they provide an option for many people who formerly had no hope of hearing or hearing again.