Cochlear Implants for Adults

What is a Cochlear Implant?

A cochlear implant provides access to sounds for people who get little or no benefit from hearing aids.  It is a highly technical medical device consisting of internal and external parts and is designed to bypass damaged hair cells in the inner ear and directly stimulate the auditory nerve. The brain experiences this stimulation as sound sensation.

Internal Device

The visible parts of a cochlear implant are called the speech processor and transmitting coil. It consists of a microphone, batteries and a mini-computer that analyses incoming sounds and converts them into digital signals. These signals are then transmitted through the skin via the coil to the internal implant by means of radio waves.

  Sound Processor Freedom Device

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Why You May be Eligible for a Cochlear Implant

 

·                A severe to profound hearing loss has been diagnosed.

·                Hearing aids are unable to help your level of hearing loss.

·                You are becoming socially isolated.

·                Your hearing loss means you are unable to work or your job is under threat

·                You are unable to communicate effectively.

 

What You Can Hear 

An audiogram, as seen below, is a graph of your hearing and shows different sounds.  The banana shape indicates all the speech sounds when they're spoken at normal conversational volume.  If your hearing falls into the profound los area at the bottome of the graph, then you may not be able to hear all conversational sounds, even with strong hearing aids.  A cochlear implant may then be a viable alternative.

Audiogram

Surgery

The implant operation lasts for 2-3 hours and carries the normal risks of any surgery requiring general anaesthetic.  The surgical process will be explained in detail during assessment.  

Life After a Cochlear Implant

 

“My CI [cochlear implant] has given me back my independence, reconnected me with my family and friends and has opened up a world of options. The world is a much easier, friendlier and more accessible place!”  - Elena Keith

“I like that I can hear and control my own voice and nobody says ‘I beg your pardon’ to me anymore. I feel like I am living in the real world and taking part in all it offers.” - Lynne Kelly

 

How Can I Find Out More?

If you have not been referred and you would like to be assessed for a cochlear implant, contact the following groups:

Northern Cochlear Implant Programme Clinical Coordinator on 09 373 7956 or info@ncip.org.nz, your local Ear Nose & Throat Specialist or audiologist.

 

Southern Cochlear Implant Programme (Adult) Programme Administrator on 0800 500 405 or scipa@xtra.co.nz your local Ear Nose & Throat Specialist or audiologist. 

 

Useful Links

 

Further helpful information is available at:

 

Cochlear Ltd www.cochlear.com

MED-EL Ltd www.medel.com

Hear-It  www.hear-it.org

New Zealand Audiological Society www.audiology.org.nz

British Cochlear Implant Group www.bcig.org.uk

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