Cochlear Implants

Hear the life you’ve been missing
Hearing aids have enhanced the lives of millions of patients, and have allowed the hearing impaired an opportunity to regain a level of productivity, a sense of connection to others, and an overall quality of life.

For adults who suffer from severe hearing loss, however, these tools are often not enough. Hearing aids work by amplifying sound acoustically, and in some cases are incapable of providing efficient amplification for these patients.

Cochlear implants are designed to provide efficient amplification by electrically transmitting sound directly to the auditory nerve.

Here’s how they work:
The cochlear implant system includes both external and internal components. The external components require the patient to wear a speech processor and microphone behind their ear much like they would a hearing aid. This unit is linked to a small transmitter that is stationed on the scalp above.

The internal component consists of an implant that is inserted by a doctor, just under the skin by the temporal bone. This implant converts the signals collected from the external processor and sends them to electrodes that stimulate the auditory nerve. This allows sound waves to make their way directly to the area of the brain that recognizes and interprets them.

What results is a richness of sound that can transform the way hearing impaired patients experience the world around them.

The implant has been shown to improve a patient’s speech as well, which is often debilitated by hearing loss.

Cochlear implant technology has advanced significantly in recent years. The system is now equipped with wireless technology and can be used for a variety of different applications whether you’re listening to the radio, speaking with a loved one in close proximity or talking on the phone.

At Watson Clinic, candidacy for the implant is determined upon examination by a licensed audiologist. The surgical procedure is referred to specialists outside of the clinic, while programming and maintenance can continue to be handled by the Watson Clinic Hearing Center.

Among the qualifications, adult candidates must suffer from severe hearing loss in both ears that cannot be adequately corrected by traditional hearing aids.

To schedule a consultation to find out if a cochlear implant is right for you, please call 863-904-6296.