Question

What is a cochlear implant? Briefly discuss candidacy criteria. What are your thoughts regarding cochlear implants? What factors influence the success of cochlear implants?

Answer 1

Tte cochlea is an important part of inner ear to receive the spindle waves as a vibration.This vibration is converted to nerve impulse by the action of stereo cilia. This nerve impulse enables to send information to the brain and interpret it and enables one to understand which is termed yo be hearing.When the cochlea cannot function well it leads to hearing impairment hence needing an artificial cochlea by a surgical intervention called as cochlear implant.

The candidacy criteria for cochlear implants are

• Confirmed hearing loss or sensoneurinal hearing loss
• There should be no medical conditions which can be a contraindication for this procedure
• Failure of other hearing aids
• To enable communication
• Adults should be above 18 years of age and children should be above 12 months
• Able to attend the rehabilitative services post implantation

The cochlear implant is the most advanced and beneficial innovations for deaf people who can gain their hearing capacity.

The factors which can influence the success of cochlear implant are

• The age of hearing loss
• The intensity or the severity of hearing loss
• Lack of follow up or attending the rehabilitation program after implant
• Bo motivation or adequate support