Do you suffer from severe hearing loss or tinnitus? Do hearing aids not work well enough? Are you frustrated with other hearing treatments or devices? If so, you might be a candidate for a hearing surgery called a cochlear implant.
At Colorado ENT & Allergy in Colorado Springs, our ENTs are surgical experts at treating multiple conditions affecting your ears, nose, and throat. With a cochlear implant, your ENT surgeon places a small ‘artificial cochlear’ in your ear. While it may not completely restore hearing loss, it can dramatically improve your hearing to be able to make out speech and discern certain sounds that were inaudible before.
To learn if a cochlear implant is right for you, schedule an appointment at Colorado ENT & Allergy today to talk to one of our cochlear implant specialists.
What is a cochlear implant?
A cochlear implant is a small electronic device your ENT surgeon implants near the ear of a person with hearing loss. It bypasses the damaged parts of your ear and sends sound waves directly to your brain. Though it doesn’t completely restore hearing, it helps a deaf person understand specific sounds like speech. This implant has both internal and external parts. The typical implant will include the following:
- A microphone to pick up sounds
- A processor that selects and arranges sounds
- A transmitter that turns sounds into electric impulses
- A set of electrodes that transmit these impulses to nerves
Who is an ideal candidate for a cochlear implant?
Cochlear implants are a good choice for people with specific types of hearing loss. The ideal person for this treatment has moderate to severe hearing loss that can’t be treated with hearing aids. They only work well if you have hearing loss due to inner ear damage. People who respond best to implants usually have experienced hearing loss later in life or are very young.
What are the benefits?
The benefit of a cochlear implant is that it can make it much easier for you to understand speech. It lets you easily talk to others even in noisy places with many sounds. You can communicate with your peers and hear sounds that might warn of danger. Implants can also treat unpleasant side effects of deafness, like tinnitus.
What are the risks or side effects?
Cochlear implant surgery is relatively safe, but it’s still a medical surgery with some risks. Rare yet possible side effects include:
- Infection near the surgical site
- Paralysis near the implant
- Balance issues
- Dizziness
- Changes to sense of taste
- Brain fluid leaks
- Pain or headaches near the implant
- Difficulty learning to use the implant
How well does it work? How long does it last?
A cochlear implant is not a complete replacement for hearing. It takes time to learn how to use it and be able to translate signals from the implant into speech. However, even if it has a learning curve, it’s still far better than most other alternatives. Research shows that 87% of people who get the implant are satisfied with the results. The majority of people with cochlear implants say they improve their quality of life.
The internal parts of cochlear implants can last you for a lifetime, but the external parts require occasional updates. The exact lifespan varies depending on which device you get. Most people will need to update the external parts every five to seven years.
Our hearing doctors diagnose and treat various ear and balance disorders and can assess your condition with accurate diagnostic tests. Get answers to your questions and learn if a cochlear implant is right for you. Schedule an appointment today at one of our convenient locations.
