1. Cochlear Implants Andrew Rosenberg
Department of Electrical, Computer, and Biomedical Engineering – BME 181

2. The Healthy Human Ear Three Sections:
(Outer ear, Middle ear, and Inner ear)
Sound waves are picked up by the outer ear
and channeled to the middle ear
The middle ear relays and amplifies the sound
waves headed towards the inner ear
The sound waves enter the inner ear and
are translated into electrical impulses that
The brain can interpret

3. Types of Hearing Impairments
Conductive Hearing Loss
-Usually deals with the middle ear and sound amplification
-Hearing aids often help in sound amplification
Sensorineural Hearing Loss
-Deals with damage to the hair cells throughout the cochlea
-Hearing aids generally do not help sensorineural damage
-Cochlear implants are an innovative way to compensate for the
damaged cochlea

4. How Does the Cochlear Implant Work?
Microphone picks up sound waves
Waves are translated into digital code by the speech processor
The receiver/stimulator sends correct amount of electrical energy to
electrodes implanted in the cochlea
Electrodes directly stimulate remaining nerve fibers in cochlea
Resulting electrical information is processed by the brain

5. Parts of the Cochlear Implant
External Parts:
1. Microphone
2. Speech Processor
3. Transmitting Coil
5. Transmitter
Internal Parts:
1. Receiver/Stimulator
2. Internal Coil
3. Electrodes

6. Candidates for a Cochlear Implant
Adults and Children:
1. Severe to profound hearing loss in both ears
2. Receive limited benefit from hearing aids
3. No medical problems that would complicate surgery
4. Strong willingness to participate
5. Realistic expectations (both patient and parents)

7. Internal and External Procedure
2-3 hour surgical procedure (under anesthesia)
-small incisions made to insert receiver/stimulator and electrodes
-patient usually leaves after surgery
After 4-6 weeks
-patient returns for external fitting and activation
-adjusting and programming can take up to several months
-rehabilitation with audiologists, speech pathologists, and counselors

8. Cost-Effectiveness
Considered one of the most cost-effective medical procedures
Average cost between $50-60,000 for surgery, programming, and
rehabilitation altogether
Cochlear implants can eliminate much of the $1 million lifetime cost
cost to society for a child w/o a cochlear implant
Insurance companies help more as time goes on due to the increasing
societal benefit as cochlear implants improve
Foreign Outlook: Cochlear implants completely covered by
U.K. government for its citizens
Medicare in Australia
Seguridad Social in Israel and Spain

9. Future As time goes on -implants become smaller
-the magnets do not interfere with as much technology
-external parts become less of a burden
-batteries maintain longer life
-implants are upgradable, so when new software comes out
more surgery is unnecessary
Advanced Bionics newest implant
Older version of a cochlear implant

10. Works Cited
Information:
American-Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Web. 08 Feb <
"Cochlear Implants." NIDCD, n.d. Web. 08 Feb <
"Cochlear Implant." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 27 Jan Web. 09 Feb <
"How Hearing Works." HowStuffWorks. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Feb <
What Is a Cochlear Implant? University of Miami School of Medicine, n.d. Web. 08 Feb
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Pictures:
Kidshealth.org/parent/general/eyes/cochlear.html>