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Hearing is directly related to the development of learning, speech, language and communication skills. If you are concerned about these areas of development, it is possible that your child might have a hearing loss.

There are several types of hearing loss including mixed, unilateral and sensorineural. Today I am focusing on sensorineural hearing loss which takes place when there is damage to hair cells in the cochlea and sound cannot reach the auditory nerve. A cochlear implant, unlike hearing aids that amplify sound, works by directly stimulating auditory nerves inside the cochlea with electrical impulses. The cochlear implant does not result in restored or cured hearing. It does, however, allow for the perception of sound sensation.

Cochlear implants include both external and internal parts. The external parts include a microphone, a speech processor, and a transmitter. The microphone looks like a behind-the-ear hearing aid. It picks up sounds and sends them to the speech processor which may be housed behind the ear or in a small “box” worn in a chest pocket. The speech processor is a computer that analyzes and digitizes the sound signals and sends them to a transmitter worn on the head just behind the ear.

The internal parts include a receiver and electrodes . The receiver takes the electrical signals from the transmitter and delivers them to electrodes that have been surgically inserted in the cochlea. The electrodes stimulate the fibers of the auditory nerve and sound sensations are perceived.

Candidates for cochlear implants include those who have a profound hearing loss in both ears, have no other medical conditions that would make the surgery risky, and are able to, along with their parents, commit to rehabilitation services.

Nearly 3000 people worldwide have cochlear implants, including 1600 children. As of 2006, the world’s youngest recipient of a bilateral implant was just over 5 months old.

Remember, cochlear implants are just one type of hearing device. Ask your doctor or an audiologist about other hearing aid options to see what works best for your child. Early intervention is key.