Children and Cochlear Implants
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Transcript Children and Cochlear Implants
Cochlear Implants
American Sign Language
Children & Cochlear Implants
Psychological Evaluation of Implant
Candidates
James H. Johnson, Ph.D., ABPP
Department of Clinical and Health Psychology
University of Florida
Functioning of the Normal Ear
The ear has three
sections; the Outer Ear,
the Middle Ear and the
Inner Ear.
Sound is transmitted as
sound waves from the
environment.
These are gathered by
the outer ear and sent
down the ear canal to the
eardrum.
Functioning of the Normal Ear
Sound waves cause the
eardrum to vibrate which
sets the three tiny bones
in the middle ear into
motion.
These are the Hammer
the Anvil and the
Stirrup.
The motion of these
bones cause fluid in the
inner ear or cochlea to
move.
Functioning of the Normal Ear
Movement of the fluid in
the inner ear causes the
hair cells in the cochlea
to move.
The hair cells transform
this movement into
electrical impulses.
These electrical impulses
are transmitted to the
auditory nerve and to the
brain where they are
interpreted as sound.
What is a Cochlear Implant?
A cochlear implant is an electronic device, that
bypasses the damaged hair cells of the cochlea
and stimulates the auditory nerve directly.
It can provide the child with useful “hearing”
and improved communication abilities in the
implant user.
It is a safe, reliable, and an effective treatment
for profound hearing loss in children (and
adults).
How do Cochlear Implants
Work?
Cochlear implants detect
sounds via an ear level
microphone that sends
these sounds to a wearable
sound processor.
The processor converts
these sounds to tiny digital
impulses that provide
hearing sensations to the
user.
Some of the newest sound
processors are small
enough to fit behind a
person's ear.
How do Cochlear Implants Work?
The electronic impulses
from the processor are sent
to a coil or transmitter (halfdollar sized) worn
externally behind the ear
over the implant.
The coil sends an FM signal
to the implant receiver,
located under the scalp.
The implant then sends
these sound impulses to a
number of tiny electrodes
within the cochlea (inner
ear).
How do Cochlear Implants Work?
These signals contain
information about the
frequency and loudness
of speech and other
sounds.
The responses to these
signals are then sent via
the auditory nerve to the
brain where they are
interpreted as sound.
A Fitted Cochlear Implant
The Implant Process
Implant surgery – general anesthesia
Recovery/Healing – 4 – 5 weeks
Activation, Fitting, and Mapping –
the child wears the processor
the processor is also attached to a computer
the clinic computer generates signals at carefully
controlled levels
the child is asked to indicate:
- the quietest signal heard (threshold level)
- the loudest comfortable signal heard (comfort
level)
these two levels are assessed for all the electrodes
in the cochlea (20 – 30 in all).
The Implant Process
– Using this information a speech processor
program is created which allocates sounds
between these two levels.
– The program mapping sets sounds so they are
loud enough to hear but not so loud as to be
uncomfortable.
– The program is fine-tuned during following clinic
sessions.
– This may occur a number of times during the
first year.
Auditory Training
Speech and Language Training
Training is Everything
Typical Indications for Implants
Severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss
with poor speech recognition.
Minimal or no benefit from the use of hearing aids
Medically able to tolerate cochlear implant
surgery.
Realistic understanding of the risks, benefits and
limitations of implantation
Failure to develop good oral language skills
despite consistent hearing aid use and intensive
rehabilitative efforts
A home and educational environment where oral
expression is encouraged and supported
Family Agreement and
Disagreements
Do parent and child agree on the
desirability of the implant?
Do both parents agree on the
desirability of an implant?
Are both willing to be active
participants in the implant
process?
Do other close family members
support the idea of an implant?
Assessing Expectations
Do parents and child (if old enough) convey an
understanding that children vary in response to
implants?
Is there understanding that degree of success depends
on parent and child being active participants in the
process (e.g., auditory training, speech/language
therapy, etc)?
Do they understand that the child may not “hear” the
same way as a non-hearing impaired individual?
Is there implied acceptance of outcomes that may not
involve;
– the development of functional speech
– a full understanding of speech without speechreading?
“The Sound and the Fury”
Now we are going to watch a documentary
called The Sound and the Fury that follows
a few families’ decisions on whether to get
a cochlear implant or not.
This documentary gives us great insight into
Deaf culture.
As you watch, consider the question:
– Should deaf babies receive cochlear
implants?