Introduction
The Lions Hearing Clinic in Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital houses the Implant
Centre. This centre enables individuals with severe to profound sensorineural
hearing loss to access sound via an implanted device. The cochlear implant
was developed and is made in Australia.
Cochlear Implants help people who have severe to profound sensorineural hearing
loss and are not receiving enough help from their hearing aid. Hearing aids
amplify sound, making the sound louder. The ear with a sensorineural hearing loss
may not be able to process the information due to damaged hair cells. Despite hearing
certain sounds, some severely affected hearing loss patients cannot understand speech.
Even the most sophisticated and profound hearing aids may not help people with severe
or profound hearing loss.
How does a Cochlear Implant work?
A cochlear implant comprises of:
Microphone - sound is recorded by the microphone.
Speech processor - the sound is converted to coded signals by a sophisticated internal chip.
Transmitting coil - this coil sends the signals across the skin to the internal implant.
Implant - the implant sends the signals to the electrode array to stimulate the hearing nerve fibres in the cochlear.
Cochlear implant (upper) and two views of the speech processor unit.
Surgery is carried out through a small incision behind the ear to expose the underlying
bone. The skin is raised from the skull bone and the implant is placed against the bone
behind the ear. A hole is made into the ear bone providing access to the organ of hearing
(cochlea). A tiny hole is made into the wall of the cochlea and the electrode array is
gently placed into the shell shaped cochlea.
Xrays or electrical testing is carried out to verify the implant position. The cochlear
implant operation usually takes about 1 1/2 to 3 hours to complete and the patient is
usually discharged from the hospital on the day following surgery.
Cochlear implant programming and rehabilitation
After surgery, it generally takes 2 weeks for the incision to heal. The implant recipient
is then fitted with the external components called the speech processor and head set.
Following surgery patients require a rehabilitation programme to help them, and their
families use the cochlear implant in every day life. The Lions Hearing Clinic provides
expert cochlear implant services to allow patients to develop hearing and listening
abilities leading to new communication skills.
If you decide to investigate further, the next step is a clinical evaluation to determine
if you are a suitable candidate.
For more information contact:
Lions Hearing Clinic - Implant Centre ph. 9346 3555 fax. 9346 1967
Links:
Cochlear - http://www.cochlear.com.au
CICADA - http://www.earscience.org.au/cicada
|
