The cochlea is actually a snail shaped, spiral tube in the internal ear which is filled with a liquid called perilymph, which is similar in composition to spinal fluid. If the cochlea was uncoiled it would measure only 30mm in length, which is only 1.181 inches. This tiny structure has a giant job to execute. The cochlea contains 1000's of hair cells which are accountable for our balance and hearing. The cells, that resemble human hair, detect noise vibrations in the perilymph and convert this information into electric signals that are delivered to the auditory portion of the brain. Once harmed, hair cells, in mammals do not repair themselves or regenerate.
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Deterioration to the cochlea can be caused by the following: a violent blow to the skull, surgery to the head, teeth and nose, and improper ear wax removal. Frequent exposure to very loud noises, such as gun fire, music, especially when using head phones and loud machinery, could also cause permanent injury to the cochlea. When this hearing nerve pathway to the brain is destroyed the brain does not receive the electrical signal, resulting in severe to profound hearing loss.
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A cochlear implant can assist both adults and children, as young as fourteen months to hear the wonders of sound. The device is an alternative for people who can't be helped with hearing aids. Your hearing specialist will help determine if you are a positive candidate for this surgery and will refer you to a cochlear implant center. The external components, that appear much like a behind the ear hearing aid, contains a microphone, transmitter and a speech processor. The speech processor is in fact a computer that digitizes the sound signals and sends them to the transmitter, which can be worn behind the ear or on the head. The internal parts include a receiver, that is just under the skin behind the ear and electrodes that have been surgically attached to the cochlea. These electrodes bypass the destroyed part of the cochlea and directly stimulate the auditory nerve.
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There are drawbacks; with no insurance benefits the implant is fairly high-priced, batteries have a much shorter life span than hearing aids, you have to wear a body processor, when close to neon lights the implant user will hear loud buzzing noise, restriction from contact sports such as football and restrictions will apply if MRI scanning is needed for a diagnosis. The results have been report as life changing and miraculous. Deaf children can now hear conversation and learn spoken language; adults can enjoy music for the first time in their lives. The majority of cochlear implant users would never give up their “bionic earsâ€.
Author Resource:
Lawson's Hearing Center is the top retailer of Hearing Instruments and Hearing Aid Accessories in Binghamton, NY.
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