Cochlear Implants

Michael Vandiver BME 281 Section 2

24th Sept. 2012

What is a Cochlear Implant ?

A Cochlear Implant is a small, surgically inserted device that connects to the inner cochlea of the ear to provide its user with a sense of sound.

3 types of Deafness

1. Conductive Hearing Loss

2. Sensory Hearing Loss

3. Mixed Hearing Loss

Why is this device necessary ?Deafness is a known problem in society today

and can produce a lesser quality of life for the person with this problem.

This disability can be congenital, due to the aging process of the human body, caused by high levels of noise exposure, illnesses (such as the measles, mumps or meningitis) or Neurological disorders (such as multiple sclerosis or strokes).

How a Cochlear Implant Works

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Poyj7U2wzhQ

Current Technology

Risks and Disadvantages

The procedure is very invasive and some effects of the implantation are irreversible, such as a loss of natural hearing.

Also, the procedure and maintenance of the device is very expensive

Future of the Cochlear ImplantA new product called the Electric Acoustic

Stimulation (EAS) is another answer to partial hearing loss/ deafness that combines the usefulness of hearing aids with the highly technological cochlear implant to from a hybrid between the two.

The cochlear implant is heading in the direction of becoming completely internal , as well as being smaller and providing the user with a cleaner, clearer and more natural experience of sound.

Questions ?