A cochlear implant is a small electronic device that helps individuals with severe to profound hearing loss or deafness to regain access to the auditory world. The cochlear implant bypasses damaged parts of the inner ear (cochlea) and directly stimulates the auditory or hearing nerve so the brain to process sound.
Cochlear implants work by capturing sound and processing it into digital signals. These electric impulses are transmitted to electrodes implanted in the cochlea which then send signals to the brain and enable the perception of sound.
Cochlear implant surgery does not restore normal hearing, but provides a useful representation of sounds in the environment. This can significantly improve the quality of life for patients as they adapt to the new sounds, helping them to better understand speech and restoring their ability to communicate.
Complete ENT are a team of top cochlear implant surgeons in Brisbane. Get in touch to discuss whether you may be a suitable candidate for cochlear implants.
Cochlear implants are primarily used to treat severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss, but they can also be beneficial for other specific hearing conditions.
Sensorineural hearing loss occurs due to damage to the inner ear (cochlea) or the auditory nerve. This makes it difficult for sound signals to be transmitted to the brain.
Cochlear implants bypass the damaged hair cells in the cochlea by directly stimulating the auditory nerve with electrical impulses, allowing the user to perceive sound.
Individuals with this type of severe hearing loss typically do not benefit from traditional hearing aids because amplification alone cannot make sounds clear enough for them to understand speech.
Children born with congenital hearing loss (present from birth) can benefit from cochlear implants. Early implantation, often before the age of 2, can support normal language and speech development.
Genetic conditions or complications during pregnancy or childbirth can lead to congenital deafness, which may be treated with cochlear implants.
People who lose their hearing after having developed language and speech (known as post-lingual deafness) often benefit from cochlear implants. Since they already have experience with hearing, their brain can more easily adapt to the new auditory input. This condition may result from ageing, illness, trauma or prolonged exposure to loud noise.
Individuals with single-sided deafness (SSD), or profound hearing loss in one ear while having normal hearing in the other, can benefit from a cochlear implant in the deaf ear. This improves sound localisation (the ability to determine where sounds are coming from) and makes it easier to hear in noisy environments.
ANSD is a condition where the transmission of sound from the inner ear to the brain is impaired. People with ANSD may have difficulty understanding speech, especially in noisy environments, even if they have mild to moderate hearing loss.
Cochlear implants can help bypass the irregular signalling of the auditory nerve, providing clearer sound for speech perception.
Though cochlear implants don’t fully restore natural hearing, the benefits often outweigh the limitations, especially for those who need more than a hearing aid.
Cochlear implants enable many users to understand speech more clearly, even with
out visual cues (like lip reading). This is especially helpful in quiet environments.
Cochlear implants can also improve the ability to distinguish speech in noisy settings, such as restaurants or public places, which is often a challenge for those with hearing aids.
Cochlear implants provide hearing for individuals with severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss, for whom conventional hearing aids may not work. It restores access to environmental sounds, alarms, conversations and more.
Cochlear implant users often experience greater ease in communicating with others, leading to better social interactions, reduced isolation, and improved confidence in social settings.
By restoring hearing, cochlear implants can reduce feelings of social isolation, anxiety and depression that often accompany hearing loss.
Cochlear implants are especially beneficial for children with congenital or early-onset hearing loss. Early implantation (usually before age 4) helps children develop spoken language and communication skills more effectively.
By improving hearing, cochlear implants support better learning in school, enabling children to integrate into mainstream education more easily.
Cochlear implants help users become more aware of important environmental sounds, such as doorbells, alarms, approaching vehicles, and birdsong. This heightened auditory awareness increases safety and engagement with the surrounding world.
Pre-surgery Evaluation:
Before the surgery, patients undergo several tests, including hearing tests, imaging (like MRI or CT scans), and a thorough evaluation of their overall health and hearing history.
During the Cochlear Implant Surgery:
The surgery is done under general anaesthesia. A small incision is made behind the ear, and the surgeon drills a small hole in the skull to insert the internal component of the cochlear implant into the inner ear (cochlea). The external part, which includes a microphone and a processor, is attached behind the ear post-recovery. This external sound processor captures sounds from the environment and transmits them to the internal device.
Post-surgery Activation:
After healing (usually 2–4 weeks), the external device is programmed and activated by an audiologist. The patient will begin to hear sounds, though it often takes time and auditory rehabilitation to interpret the sounds as speech or recognisable noises.
Your cochlear implant doctor will discuss with you what to expect after the surgery is complete. There may be specific notes individual to your case, but in general, here is what can be expected post-surgery:
Cochlear implant surgery is typically an outpatient procedure, meaning most patients go home the same day. However, some may stay overnight for observation, especially young children or those with other medical conditions.
The area behind the ear will have a bandage, which is usually removed after a few days. Some discomfort, swelling, or tenderness around the incision is normal and can be managed with pain medications.
Patients are advised to rest for a few days following surgery. It’s essential to avoid strenuous activity or heavy lifting during the first few weeks.
Some people experience dizziness or balance problems after surgery, as the inner ear is involved in both hearing and balance. These symptoms generally improve within a few days to a week.
It usually takes 2-4 weeks for the incision to fully heal. During this time, it’s important to keep the surgical site dry and avoid activities that could disrupt healing, such as swimming or heavy exercise.
A follow-up appointment with the cochlear implant surgeon is typically scheduled a week or so after the procedure to check the incision and ensure proper healing.
The cochlear implant will not be functional immediately after surgery. The external components (microphone, speech processor, and transmitter) are not fitted or activated until the surgical site has healed.
After healing, usually 2-4 weeks after surgery, the audiologist will fit and activate the external parts of the cochlear implant. This appointment is called the initial activation or “switch-on.”
Many patients report that the first sounds they hear are unnatural, robotic, or distorted. This is normal, as the brain needs time to adjust to interpreting sounds through the cochlear implant.
The audiologist will program the device during this visit to set the proper levels of stimulation (referred to as “mapping”). This process may take some time, and it will likely need adjustments over subsequent appointments.
The brain has to adjust to the new way of hearing. Initially, sounds may seem mechanical or distorted, and speech may be hard to understand. Over time, the brain learns to interpret the electrical signals as meaningful sounds.
Over the following weeks and months, several follow-up appointments will be needed to fine-tune the implant’s settings and optimise sound quality. This process is important for improving the clarity of speech and overall hearing performance.
To maximise the benefits of a cochlear implant, many individuals, especially those who were deaf or had significant hearing loss for a long time, will undergo aural rehabilitation or speech therapy. This training helps the brain adapt and learn to interpret the new sounds more effectively.
The audiologist will continue to adjust the cochlear implant’s settings based on the user’s progress and feedback. This process, called mapping, ensures the device is optimised for the user’s hearing needs. These adjustments occur frequently in the first few months and less often thereafter.
It can take weeks to months for patients to get used to the new sounds and to improve their speech recognition abilities. For individuals who received the implant after a long period of deafness, this adaptation process may take longer.
The level of hearing improvement varies from person to person. Some may achieve near-normal hearing, while others may only detect environmental sounds and gain improved speech-reading ability. Over time, most users experience better speech understanding and improved quality of life.
When you are looking for the best cochlear implant surgeons, consider Complete ENT. With decades of experience, multiple locations and caring cochlear implant doctors, you can trust our expert guidance.
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07 3905 5999
CompleteENT are a team of leading otolaryngologists who are proudly delivering outstanding care to adults and children with ear, nose and throat conditions in Queensland.