Q8. What is a cochlear implant?

A8. A cochlear implant is an electronic device which is able to stimulate the auditory nerve into transmitting electrical impulses to the brain. The brain interprets these impulses as sounds.

You cochlea contains millions of hair cells which help to pass sounds towards the brain via the auditory nerve. But if these are damaged or destroyed then this obstructs this process and leads to hearing loss.

A cochlear implant is comprised of several components which include electrodes (implanted into the cochlea), headpiece and microphone, speech processor (arranges sounds) and a receiver which converts sounds into electrical impulses.

This implant bypasses the damaged cochlea and sends signals through to the brain.

Find out more in our hearing loss treatments section.

FAQS Index : A guide to Hearing Loss

FAQs Intro

1. What causes deafness?
2. Why has my hearing gone worse as I have got older?
3. Is there more than one type of hearing loss?
4. Why does my child get lots of ear infections?
5. What is ‘glue ear?’

6. Can listening to an MP3 player affect your hearing?
7. I need a hearing test, what can I expect?
8. What is a cochlear implant?
9. What type of hearing aid will suit me?
10. Will deafness ever be cured?