Cochlear

Cochlear Implant Surgery in Alwarpet, Chennai

Overview of Cochlear Implant

The cochlea is a hollow tube in your inner ear. It is shaped like the shell of a snail and is responsible for your hearing. Sometimes, injuries can damage this cavity and impair your hearing. If hearing aids are of no help, cochlear implants are employed to aid your hearing. To learn more about cochlear implants, contact a cochlear implant specialist in Chennai.

What is a cochlear implant?

Cochlear implants are medical devices that can help people with hearing impairment to perceive sound better. It is usually used if hearing aids are of no use. There are two components in a cochlear implant - the interior and the exterior parts. A sound processor is fitted behind the ear. It captures sound signals and sends them to a receiver that is implanted under the skin. The receiver sends those signals to electrodes implanted in the cochlea. These signals activate the auditory nerve that, in turn, sends the signals to the brain. The brain receives the signals and processes them to understand them. 

Who qualifies for a cochlear implant?

Cochlear implants are primarily used for people who suffer from severe hearing loss. Usually, these people cannot be helped with hearing aids. You will be asked to consider a cochlear implant if:

• You have good hearing in both ears but the quality of sound perception is poor.
• You experience a loss of hearing and hearing aids do not help you. 
• You heavily rely on reading someone’s lips to understand them even if you are wearing hearing aids. 
• You aren’t able to understand more than half the words spoken to you with or without hearing aids.

Why should you consider a cochlear implant?

If you find that your hearing aids are not helping you anymore or if you find that you cannot hear or perceive sounds as well as before, visit a cochlear implant hospital in Alwarpet to receive expert consultation and directions. If recommended, you can proceed with a cochlear implant surgery to improve your hearing and quality of life. 

Request an appointment at Apollo Spectra Hospitals, Alwarpet, Chennai

Call 1860 500 2244 to book an appointment.

What are the benefits of a cochlear implant?

Here are some of the benefits of undergoing a cochlear implant surgery:

• You will have better hearing and little to no use for visual aid such as reading lips, subtitles, etc. 
• You will be able to recognize normal environmental sounds, even faint ones, that you might not have been able to hear before.
• You will be able to distinguish the various elements (of sounds) in a noisy environment.
• You will be able to recognize the direction of the source of sounds. 
• Improved communication through direct speech, over a call, etc. You can also watch television and listen to the radio without any issues. 

What are the risks of a cochlear implant?

While cochlear implants are usually safe and have an outstanding success rate, there are still 0.5% of patients who experience certain effects and complications such as the following:

• Failure of device: Sometimes, the device (cochlear implant) can have technical failures and will have to be replaced. In such a case, you will be required to undergo another surgery. 
• Loss of hearing: Rarely, you might experience loss of hearing. The cochlear implant might result in the loss of the little, natural hearing you had left. 
• Meningitis: You might experience inflammation of the membranes surrounding your brain and spinal cord after the surgery. This condition is called meningitis. You can vaccinate yourself against meningitis to avoid this complication.
• Bleeding and infection at the site of surgery
• Facial paralysis
• Spinal fluid leak
• Worsened or new ear noise.

Conclusion

Cochlear implants are meant for people who have lost a significant part of their hearing senses. They can help boost your hearing and improve the quality of your life. If you are considering a cochlear implant, speak to a cochlear implant doctor in Chennai for consultation.

Reference Links

https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/cochlear-implants/about/pac-20385021

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/cochlear-implant-surgery