WHAT IS A COCHLEAR IMPLANT?
How does it work?
A cochlear implant system includes several advanced components of technology that work together to bypass the cochlea – restoring hearing by sending sound directly to the hearing nerve.
The first is an internal component (the implant and electrode array) which is implanted by a surgeon.
The second is a series of external components that is worn on the ear and attaches to the implant (the headpiece and processor).
Cochlear implant technology has advanced significantly in the past 30+ years.
1
The Microphone captures sound waves, sending it onto the sound processor (2).
2
The sound waves are converted into detailed digital signals by the sound processor, and passed onto the headpiece (3).
3
The headpiece sends the digital signals to the cochlear implant and electrode array (4) in the inner ear.
4
The electrode array receives the digital signals, and in turn stimulates the hearing nerve (5).
5
The hearing nerve sends impulses to the brain, which interprets them as sounds.
The CI (Cochlear Implant) Team
To determine if you are a suitable candidate for a cochlear implant, a comprehensive evaluation is conducted by our team of CI experts.
Candidacy for a cochlear implant is evaluated by a multidisciplinary team of professionals, consisting of audiologists, rehabilitation specialists, surgeons and other medical experts.
We also have a full-time fundraiser at the Ear Institute who assists families with fundraising activities for cochlear implants, if required.
The team will assess the type and level of hearing impairment, as well as evaluate how well you or your child’s hearing performs with hearing aids.