Cochlear Implants

Term Paper # 110381

Biology
Medical and Health

Cochlear Implants

An overview of cochlear implants as treatment for sensor neural deafness.

1,288 words () | 2 sources | APA | 2008 United States

Paper Summary:

The paper explains how the ear and hearing works and how the cochlear implant, the electronic audio mechanism, provides hearing in cases of sensor neural hearing loss. The paper outlines the fundamental workings of a cochlear implant and the need for a post-cochlear implant rehabilitation program. The paper also looks at the potential benefits of bilateral cochlear implants and explains when unilateral implants with FDA-approved cochlear implants and associated aural rehabilitation may be considered medically necessary.

From the Paper:

"The cochlear implant is an electronic audio mechanism that returns to the deaf partial hearing. The human ear consists of three main parts - the external ear, middle ear or tympanum, and the inner ear, or labyrinth. The external ear catches sound waves and channels them to the middle ear. This is brought about when sound travels along the ear canal of the external (middle) ear and causes vibration in the ear drum. Accordingly, in the middle ear is where sound waves set up vibrations that are converted into nerve impulses in the inner ear. These impulses are in turn, sent to the brain. The inner ear is also responsible for the sense of balance."

Sample of Sources Used:

Goodhill, Victor (1979). Ear Diseases, Deafness, and Dizziness. New York: Harper & Row. 23-42.
Vermeire K, Brokx JP, Van de Heyning PH et al. (2003). Bilateral cochlear implantation in children. Int J PediatrOtorhinolaryngol 67(1):67-70.