👂 Cochlear Implants (CIs)
A Cochlear Implant (CI) is a small, complex electronic device that provides a sense of sound to a person who is severely hard-of-hearing or profoundly deaf. Unlike a hearing aid, which merely amplifies sound, a cochlear implant bypasses the damaged parts of the inner ear (cochlea) and directly stimulates the auditory nerve.
The implant is primarily designed for individuals with sensorineural hearing loss (damage to the hair cells or nerve pathways) who receive limited benefit from conventional hearing aids.
⚙️ How a Cochlear Implant Works (Components)
A CI system consists of two main parts that work together to translate sound into electrical signals the brain can interpret.