Cochlear Implants

If you or a loved one live with hearing loss and aren’t getting enough benefit from hearing aids, a cochlear implants may help.

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Cochlear Implant Services

NRT - Neural Response Telemetry (Intraoperative / Postoperative measurement)

NRT - Neural Response Telemetry (Intraoperative / Postoperative measurement)

The NRT provides a simple way to directly record neural responses. Information from NRT gives the audiologist or surgeon confirmation that the cochlear implant is effectively stimulating the hearing nerve fibres in the inner ear and all conveniently measured within minutes. This is non-invasive, objective, and quicker and does not require sedation or the use of external recording electrodes. NRT can be performed during the cochlear implant surgery and at the follow-up appointments any time after surgery.

Switch On

Three weeks after the surgery, the audiologist will give your child the external device (speech processor and coil). It is the first mapping of the processor.

Mapping

Mapping involves the programming of the device by an audiologist who has special expertise in the field of CI. During the mapping process, the stimulation levels of the I internal electrode array are adjusted ‘C’ comfortable and ‘T’ threshold level so that the user can hear the wide range of sounds that he/she may be exposed to.

Troubleshooting

It is not possible for parents and teachers to listen to a child’s cochlear implant as one would listen to a hearing aid; however, there are other checks of the equipment that should be completed by an audiologist.

Benefits Of Cochlear Implants

Hearing ranges from near normal ability to understand speech to no hearing benefit at all
Many understand speech without lip-reading. However, even if this is not possible, using the implant helps lip-reading
Adults often benefit immediately and continue to improve for about 3 months after the initial tuning sessions. Then, although performance continues to improve, improvements are slower. Cochlear implant users’ performances may continue to improve for several years
Many can make telephone calls and understand familiar voices over the telephone. Some good performers can make normal telephone calls and even understand an unfamiliar speaker. However, not all people who have implants are able to use the phone
Children may improve at a slower pace. A lot of training is needed after implantation to help the child use the new ‘hearing’ he or she now experiences
Many can watch TV more easily, especially when they can also see the speaker’s face. However, listening to the radio is often more difficult as there are no visual cues available
Most perceive loud, medium and soft sounds. People report that they can perceive different types of sounds, such as footsteps, slamming of doors, sounds of engines, ringing of the telephone, barking of dogs, whistling of the tea kettle, rustling of leaves, the sound of a light switch being switched on and off, and so on
Some can enjoy music. Some enjoy the sound of certain instruments (piano or guitar, for example) and certain voices. Others do not hear well enough to enjoy music

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FAQ

1.What are the advantages of cochlear implants?

  • Cochlear implants provide deaf people with artificial hearing, allowing them to hear the world around them, and to communicate with others.
  • It makes their lives easier, and provides them with a sense of independence.
  • It also allows them to live ‘normal’ lives, and to participate in society

2.Do cochlear implants give 100% hearing?

Cochlear implants are the most common type of implant for deaf patients. This is a false statement. Cochlear implants help to replace the hearing loss, but cannot give 100% hearing.

3.What is the success rate of a cochlear implant?

The success rate of a cochlear implant is higher than that of a hearing aid. Cochlear implants help people with hearing loss to regain functional hearing. Cochlear implants provide a sense of hearing in people who are deaf.

4.What is the success rate of a cochlear implant?

Cochlear implants are successful if the patient has a severe-to-profound hearing loss as well. Although cochlear implant surgery is considered to be a safe and effective procedure, it’s not usually the first choice for a hearing loss. The surgery is expensive and needs to be done at a specialist centre.

5.Who is not eligible for a cochlear implant?

  • People who have earwax (cerumen)
  • People with a head injury
  • People who have lost their hearing due to a serious medical condition
  • People who cannot benefit from a cochlear implant due to genetic conditions.
  • People who have other severe hearing conditions.
  • People with severe or total deafness.

6.Do cochlear implants require brain surgery?

No, they do not require brain surgery. Cochlear implants can be inserted by a qualified otolaryngologist (ear doctor). A cochlear implant is a prosthetic device that is surgically implanted in the ear to restore auditory function to people who have severe to profound hearing loss.