Millions of people worldwide suffer from various disorders of hearing.In most cases, to cope with similar problems helps properly selected hearing aid.However, hearing aids are not able to completely restore hearing to deaf people and people with severe deafness.In such cases, the only way to regain the ability to hear is a cochlear implantation .
What are cochlear implants?
Cochlear implantation - a high-tech surgical procedure to install a special device (cochlear implant), which allows a deaf person to regain the ability to hear.This electronic device comprises a cochlear implant itself, which in turn consists of a base part and electrodes, and of the speech processor.The speech processor picks up sound using a microphone, then encodes them into pulses and transmits to the implant.The implant, in turn, transmits the pulses in the cochlea.Thus producing stimulation of the auditory nerve and the person hears sounds.
In some cases, it is recommended cochlear implants?
Before you decide to install a cochlear implant, you must carefully weigh the pros and cons of this procedure.It is important to understand that the principle of the cochlear implant differs from the hearing aid, and you will not hear the sounds as they used to hear before.In addition, the patient should be prepared for a long period of rehabilitation and training.
That is why candidates for cochlear implantation are relatively rigid selection.Thus, the indication for cochlear implantation include absolute deafness or severe deafness, which is not treatable by other methods of correction of hearing, including a hearing aid.
How is a cochlear implant?
Before installing cochlear implant performed a thorough examination of the candidate in the presence of contraindications to the procedure.Patient held a consultation with a neurologist, an otolaryngologist and surdopedagogs.
The operation is performed under general anesthesia and lasts for 1-1.5 hours.A cochlear implant is installed in the area behind the ear, and electrodes are placed in the cochlea.The speech processor is fixed outside the ear for some time after the operation.
Overall cochlear implantation is considered a relatively simple procedure.Rare complications of surgery include damage to the facial nerve, tinnitus, dizziness, headache and dysgeusia.
Cochlear implantation: rehabilitation
Rehabilitation - is the most complex and time-consuming step of the implant.At the same time, rehabilitation is an essential component of the cochlear implant procedure and without it is impossible to achieve the desired results.This period includes the connection of the speech processor and its programming and activities with teachers on training of perception of sounds by means of the implant.
rehabilitation and training can last from several months to several years.During this time the patient is undergoing therapy with surdopedagogs, psychologists, speech therapists and other specialists.Typically, a patient takes a while to get used to and learn to distinguish between new sounds and perceive speech.Training takes place in stages, starting with simple skills (such as the ability to pick up sounds, locate and distinguish them from silence), to more complex tasks (talking to people, watching TV).
What are the benefits of cochlear implantation?
Despite the complexity of the period of rehabilitation after cochlear implantation, this procedure is the only way for deaf people regain the ability to hear.
