What Is a Cochlear Implant?
A cochlear implant is a small, electronic device that can help give a sense of sound to people who have severe to profound hearing loss and get little or no help from hearing aids. Unlike a hearing aid, which just makes sounds louder, a cochlear implant sends sound directly to the hearing nerve using electrical signals.
The system has two main parts:
- External Sound Processor – Worn behind the ear, it picks up sounds and sends them to the implant.
- Internal Implant – Placed under the skin behind the ear during surgery, it sends signals to the hearing nerve.