Transcript Esteem
Cochlear Implants By: Victor J. Gabbidon Purpose • A cochlear implant is a surgically implanted electronic device that provides a sense of hearing in the hearing impaired. • Not to be confused with hearing aids which simply amplify sound for those hard of hearing. Cochlear implants work to replicate the natural processes of the ear. Sensorineural Hearing Loss • Designed for patients with sensorineural hearing loss. • Caused by abnormalities or lack of quantity in the hair cells of the cochlea. • The implant serves as a makeshift cochlea by bypassing the patients improperly functioning cochlea. Design • The design of a cochlear implant is composed of 3 main parts: A sound processor, a transmitter, and an internal receptor with electrode wires. • Of the 3 major components, only one is actually implanted internally. Implantation • The implantation of the internal portion of the device is a relatively simple procedure that can be done under general anesthesia. • A small incision is made behind the ear and the device is implanted on the skull. Functionality • Sound processor picks up through microphone and converts it to digital code. • Code is transmitted to internal receptor through transmitter that is connected magnetically to internal implant. • Implant converts code to electrical signal which is then sent by electrodes to cochlea’s hearing nerve. Disadvantages • In order for the device to be implanted residual hair cells in the cochlea must be destroyed. • Procedure essentially irreversible in terms of having the same hearing capacity as before the procedure. • For this reason cochlear implants are typically only implanted on one ear The Future of Hearing Technology • Esteem®: • Has the ability to restore hearing in patients that are legally deaf. • The device has no external components and is a more atheistic alternative to traditional implants. Sources • http://www.envoymedical.com/how-esteem-improves-hearing • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cochlear_implant#Parts_of_the_coc hlear_implant • http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/09/120920120416.ht m • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sensorineural_hearing_loss • http://www.ele.uri.edu/Courses/bme181/