Cochlear Implants
A cochlear implant is a treatment option for individuals with severe to profound hearing loss. They can be used effectively by both prelingually and postlingually deafened children and adults. By stimulating the sensory cells in the cochlea, cochlear implants allow recipients to perceive environmental sounds and speech.
A cochlear implant system consists of two main components:
The external Audio Processor
The processor consists of a control unit, a battery pack and the coil for the wireless transmission of signals to the implant. MED-EL offers the option of using the OPUS 1 or the OPUS 2 Processor designs, both with state-of-the-art electronics and software.
The Implant
The Implant is surgically placed under the skin. It consists of a housing for the electronics, an antenna for receiving signals from the sound processor, an electrode array, and a reference electrode.
MED-EL offers the option of two different cochlear implant designs, the widely used PULSARCI100 with an extremely small ceramic housing and the SONATATI100, the most advanced titanium implant available.
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How a Cochlear Implant WorksCochlear implant systems convert everyday sounds into coded electrical impulses. These electrical pulses stimulate the hearing nerve, and the brain interprets them as sound. As the brain receives sound information very quickly, sounds are heard as they occur. more... |
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Candidacy CriteriaCochlear implants can offer a wide range of benefits, including hearing speech, environmental sounds and music. more... |
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Benefits of Cochlear ImplantsCochlear implants can offer a wide range of benefits, including hearing speech, environmental sounds and music. more... |
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