What is a Cochlear Implant?

A cochlear implant is a medical device that is surgically implanted in the inner ear to provide a sense of sound to individuals who are deaf or severely hard of hearing. The implant consists of two main parts: an external microphone and speech processor worn behind the ear and an internal component surgically implanted under the skin. The internal component includes an electrode array that is placed in the cochlea, which stimulates the auditory nerve directly, bypassing the damaged hair cells that normally convert sound waves into electrical signals. The signals are then sent to the brain, where they are interpreted as sound. Cochlear implants can provide significant improvements in hearing and speech perception for many people with severe hearing loss.