Cochlear implants, also known as the “bionic ear”, are devices that help provide aid for those hard-of-hearing. These devices are extremely complex and contain parts that are forced to work as a functioning unit. I will be going into more in depth with cochlear implants as well as defining what a cochlear implant actually is. I will also explain the costs that are involved, who the “best candidate” would be for implantation, and the risks and benefits involved with the implant. According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), a cochlear implant is a very small, complex electronic device that can help people to pick up a sense of sound to someone that is deaf or hard-of-hearing (“Cochlear Implants”).
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They are less common because the surgery is now performed through a small surgical cut, but the risks are as follows: wound healing problems, skin breakdown over the implanted device, and infection near the implant site. The rare complications that come along with the surgery are facial nerve damage, meningitis, temporary dizziness, failure of the device to work, and abnormal taste (Medline Plus). After the surgery it will take about a week or so to heal well then the implant is attached to the outside processor, then the patients that received the cochlear implant will start working with specialists so they will be able to hear. These specialists may include: audiologists, speech therapists, and maybe even an ear, nose, and throat doctor. The riskiest part of the recovery period is not going to the specialists and putting in the work that is needed to get the implantation working correctly (“Recovery After Surgery”). The benefits of the cochlear implants are not the same for everyone. Typically, adults will almost immediately notice the difference, whereas children will improve at a slower pace. Most people will be able to hear wide ranges of sounds such as slamming of doors, footsteps, and the sounds of engines (“Benefits and Risks”). Once they get the “bionic ear” they are able to understand speech without lip reading, they are also able to make phone calls, and they can even watch TV easily along with listening to music (“Benefits and Risks”). These implants help the deaf to lead a more enjoyable
They are less common because the surgery is now performed through a small surgical cut, but the risks are as follows: wound healing problems, skin breakdown over the implanted device, and infection near the implant site. The rare complications that come along with the surgery are facial nerve damage, meningitis, temporary dizziness, failure of the device to work, and abnormal taste (Medline Plus). After the surgery it will take about a week or so to heal well then the implant is attached to the outside processor, then the patients that received the cochlear implant will start working with specialists so they will be able to hear. These specialists may include: audiologists, speech therapists, and maybe even an ear, nose, and throat doctor. The riskiest part of the recovery period is not going to the specialists and putting in the work that is needed to get the implantation working correctly (“Recovery After Surgery”). The benefits of the cochlear implants are not the same for everyone. Typically, adults will almost immediately notice the difference, whereas children will improve at a slower pace. Most people will be able to hear wide ranges of sounds such as slamming of doors, footsteps, and the sounds of engines (“Benefits and Risks”). Once they get the “bionic ear” they are able to understand speech without lip reading, they are also able to make phone calls, and they can even watch TV easily along with listening to music (“Benefits and Risks”). These implants help the deaf to lead a more enjoyable