Snail Tales: Cochlear Implants By Sharaine J. Rawlinson, MSW Materials Development Specialist WROCC California State University Northridge

© Sharaine J. Rawlinson Overview Cochlear Implants are referred to as auditory prosthesis. They are: for people who cannot benefit from hearing aids controversial available in different models a personal choice

© Sharaine J. Rawlinson Expectations CIs will not restore hearing to “normal” Benefits vary among individuals Some CI users only gain knowledge of environmental sound Others gain ability to use telephone and hear music CIs do not make a deaf person hearing!

© Sharaine J. Rawlinson How Cochlear Implants Work Cochlear implants are designed to by- pass cochlear hair cells which are non- functioning and provide direct stimulation to the auditory nerve. Cilia (hair cells) in a cross-section of a cochlea      

© Sharaine J. Rawlinson Specifically … The microphone picks up sounds and sends them to the processor The processor then selects and codes sounds which produce useful speech, music, etc. From the processor, sounds are transmitted through the skin to the receiver/stimulator via the magnetic headset

© Sharaine J. Rawlinson From here … The codes are then converted to electrical signals which activate the electrode arrays The electrodes then stimulate the auditory nerve where the brain recognizes the electrical signals as sounds.

© Sharaine J. Rawlinson Internal Component A C B A – Magnet B – Receiver/Stimulator C – Electrode Array

© Sharaine J. Rawlinson The Electrode Array During Implantation

© Sharaine J. Rawlinson Implanted Receiver/Stimulator

© Sharaine J. Rawlinson Enlargement of Implanted Cochlea

© Sharaine J. Rawlinson Processors Clarion MED-EL

© Sharaine J. Rawlinson External Components Microphone (A) Signal Processor (B) Signal Coupler [Transmitter] (C) A C B C A B Clarion A C B B MED-EL

© Sharaine J. Rawlinson Aural Rehabilitation Following hook-up, many people participate in aural rehabilitation Aural rehabilitation consists of learning to listen, training the brain to decipher individual sounds, followed by more and more complex sounds as one’s listening skills improve

© Sharaine J. Rawlinson The Controversy Surrounding CIs NAD’s former position on implanting children AG Bell’s position on sign language vs. oral Are children who receive implants stolen from the Deaf World? Are children who have implants being “scarred for life”?

© Sharaine J. Rawlinson The Controversy Continued … Do adults who receive cochlear implants risk alienation by their deaf friends and colleagues? Interpreters as critics. Is the corporate world creating implants simply for the money? Are doctors ignoring cultural aspects of deafness?

© Sharaine J. Rawlinson Accommodating the Student Who Uses a Cochlear Implant Provision of Interpreters Real-time Captioning Assistive Listening Devices Seating in Classroom Classroom Lighting Notetaking Services

© Sharaine J. Rawlinson What Can You Do For These Students? Remember, they are NOT hearing people! If the student signs, always sign with them even if they appear to comprehend your spoken voice Use Assistive Listening Devices Make sure the student is looking at you when you talk to them

© Sharaine J. Rawlinson What Can You Do For These Students? Acknowledge that cochlear implants are here to stay and that these students should be included in activities, not shunned Assist the student with a CI in learning communication skills that will enable them to communicate with other students who do not have a CI

© Sharaine J. Rawlinson Cochlear Implant Resources Cochlear Implant Association International – Cochlear Corporation – Advanced Bionics (Clarion) – Med-El –

© Sharaine J. Rawlinson More CI Resources (cont’d) “Sound and Fury”, video by Josh Aronson, 2000 Cochlear Implant Forum Listserv – TO: From: (Your address) Subject: (Leave it blank) Message: Subscribe ci (your name)

© Sharaine J. Rawlinson More CI Resources (Cont’d) Self-Help for Hard of Hearing People (SHHH) – Association of Late-Deafened Adults (ALDA) – National Association of the Deaf (NAD) – Wired For Sound, by Beverly Biderman Hear Again, by Arlene Romoff

© Sharaine J. Rawlinson