Cochlear Implants Available at Our Audiology Clinic in Lancaster, PA
Hearing Smile Professionals is dedicated to providing the most advanced hearing care at our clinic in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Hearing deficits vary from patient to patient. For those with severe hearing loss, we offer cochlear implants. These state-of-the-art devices can help restore hearing so that patients can fully engage with their household, coworkers, and community.
What Is a Cochlear Implant?
Cochlear implants are small electronic devices that produce a sense of sound for patients who are severely hard of hearing or deaf. One portion of the device sits behind the outer ear; the other is surgically inserted into the inner ear. Cochlear implants are FDA approved and covered by most insurance policies, Medicare, and Medicaid.
How Do Cochlear Implants Work?
Rather than restoring normal hearing, cochlear implants provide a representation of sounds that those living with severe hearing loss can use to understand speech and the sounds of their environment. These devices feature:
- A microphone to pick up sound
- A speech processor to arrange sound
- A transmitter and receiver that convert sound signals into electric impulses
- An electrode array that sends electric impulses to the auditory nerve
Who Is a Candidate for Cochlear Implants?
Cochlear implants are for patients whose hearing is so impaired that all traditional treatment methods, such as hearing aids, are ineffective. The most common candidates for cochlear ear implants are children who were born deaf, older adults with hearing loss due to aging, and adults whose hearing loss is caused by genetics, disease, or other factors.
Benefits of Cochlear Implants Over Traditional Hearing Aids
The advantages of choosing cochlear implants over traditional hearing aids are numerous, particularly for those with severe hearing loss. Here are some of the main benefits to consider:
- Better understanding of speech – While traditional hearing aids amplify sound, cochlear implants stimulate the auditory nerve. This process can make a significant difference in the user’s ability to understand speech, making it easier to follow along with and engage in conversation.
- Improved quality of life – Because they offer a more nuanced representation of sound, they can enable the user to enjoy music and social activities, enhancing their overall quality of life and ability to connect with others.
- Greater independence – Users of cochlear implants are often able to more easily navigate their environment and deal with sound-related tasks that come up in their day-to-day life, such as answering the door bell or responding to alarms.
- Performance in complex environments – Cochlear implants offer better performance in complex listening environments where hearing aids often make it difficult to distinguish background noise from more important sounds.
Surgical Procedure and Recovery
Prior to surgery, patients take part in a thorough evaluation, including a medical history and audiometric tests, in order to prepare for the procedure. The surgical process itself is usually performed under general anesthesia and begins with a small incision behind the patient’s ear. This allows the surgeon to insert the internal component of the implant into the inner ear. From there, electrodes are carefully positioned in the cochlea.
Following surgery, the area is given time to heal before the external component is connected. Activation usually takes place several weeks after surgery. Next, the patient undergoes an auditory rehabilitation process to help them adapt to the new signals they are receiving and ensure they are gaining maximum benefit from the implant.
Learn More About Cochlear Implants
Are you or your child a good candidate for a cochlear implant? If other hearing treatment methods have failed, contact Hearing Smile Professionals today to make an appointment at our audiology clinic in Lancaster, PA.
