Health A-Z

Cochlear implantation is a surgical procedure used to treat severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss by bypassing damaged hair cells in the cochlea and directly stimulating the auditory nerve. Here's how it relates to symptoms, treatment plans, and diagnosis testing.

1. Severe to profound hearing loss: Individuals with severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss may experience significant difficulty understanding speech, even with the use of hearing aids.
2. Limited benefit from hearing aids: Patients who receive limited benefit from conventional hearing aids due to the severity of their hearing loss may be candidates for cochlear implantation.
3. Speech and language delays: Children with severe to profound hearing loss may experience delays in speech and language development, despite early intervention and amplification with hearing aids.

1. Pre-operative evaluation: Patients undergo a thorough pre-operative evaluation by a multidisciplinary team, including otolaryngologists (ENT surgeons), audiologists, speech-language pathologists, and social workers, to assess candidacy for cochlear implantation, discuss potential benefits and risks, and provide counseling and support.
2. Surgical procedure: During cochlear implantation surgery, an incision is made behind the ear, and a small opening is created in the mastoid bone to access the cochlea. The electrode array is inserted into the cochlea through the opening, and the receiver-stimulator is implanted under the skin behind the ear. The surgery is typically performed under general anesthesia and may take several hours to complete.
3. Activation and programming: After a period of healing, usually a few weeks after surgery, the cochlear implant is activated and programmed by an audiologist to deliver electrical stimulation to the auditory nerve. The programming process involves adjusting stimulation parameters based on the patient's individual hearing needs and comfort levels.
4. Rehabilitation and follow-up: Patients undergo a period of auditory rehabilitation and training to adapt to the cochlear implant and learn to interpret auditory signals. Regular follow-up appointments are scheduled with the cochlear implant team to monitor progress, adjust programming settings as needed, and provide ongoing support and counseling.

1. Audiological evaluation: A comprehensive audiological assessment is performed to measure hearing thresholds, speech recognition abilities, and the extent of hearing loss.
2. Imaging studies: CT or MRI scans of the temporal bone are obtained to assess the anatomy of the inner ear, cochlea, and auditory nerve, and to identify any abnormalities or obstacles that may affect the placement of the cochlear implant electrode array.
3. Speech and language assessment: For pediatric candidates, a speech and language assessment is conducted to evaluate communication abilities, speech development, and language skills.