Cochlear Implants for Better Hearing Near Reading, PA
Cochlear implants are an increasingly common option for managing sensorineural hearing loss, which may be caused by damage to the tiny sensory hair cells in the inner ear, or damage to the nerve pathways running from the inner ear to the brain. This type of hearing loss is permanent and may be present at birth or acquired through trauma, infection, or exposure to loud noise.
Appropriate for patients of all ages, cochlear implants can be life-changing for an individual who struggles to communicate due to moderate to profound hearing loss. The audiology doctors at Hearing Smile Professionals are pleased to these state-of-the-art hearing devices to adults and children near Reading, Pennsylvania.
How Do Cochlear Implants Differ From Hearing Aids?
Both cochlear implants and hearing aids are small, complex electronic devices that can be used to treat hearing loss, but they do so in different ways. Traditional hearing aids are removable devices that amplify acoustic sounds and specific frequencies so they can be detected by damaged ears. Cochlear implants are surgically placed devices that translate acoustic sounds into electrical signals, then send those signals directly to the auditory nerve, bypassing the damaged structures in the ears.
Cochlear implants consist of an external device that is worn behind the ear (like a traditional behind-the-ear hearing aid), and an implant that is surgically placed under the skin. The implant is equipped with:
- A microphone, which picks up sounds in the environment
- A speech processor, which selects and arranges the sounds detected by the microphone
- A receiver/transmitter, which receives the arranged sounds from the speech processor and converts them into electrical impulses
- An electrode array, which sends the electrical impulses generated by the transmitter to the auditory nerve
Cochlear implants do not restore normal hearing. Instead, they effectively create the sensation of sound for individuals with severe hearing loss.
Are Cochlear Implants Right for You?
If hearing loss is affecting your quality of life, an audiologist at Hearing Smile Professionals can perform a thorough evaluation and help you determine whether you could benefit from cochlear implants. Contact us today to schedule an appointment for audiology testing at our office near Reading, PA.
