Considering hearing implants? Here's everything that you need to know.
Hearing implants are advanced hearing solutions that involve implantation through surgery.
Read BIHIMA’s implant summary – explaining what they do, how they differ from hearing aids, what types of hearing implants exist, and how they improve quality of life.
What are hearing implants?
Hearing implant systems are advanced hearing solutions typically implanted through surgery. One part of the system is implanted (the implant or internal part) and the other part is an externally placed sound processor/audio processor that sits on the head.
Hearing implants are used when you have a hearing loss that would not benefit from the sound amplification of hearing aids.
Hearing implants may also be used by people with specific types of hearing loss, such as sensorineural, conductive or mixed hearing loss, as well as people with a damaged or non-existent auditory nerve or those who for some other reason are unable to wear hearing aids.
Types of hearing implants
The common types of hearing implants are:
- Cochlear implants (CI)
- Bone conduction devices
- Middle ear implants (MEI)
- Auditory brain stem implants (ABI)
Who can benefit from hearing implants?
Both adults and children with severe hearing problems or specific types of hearing loss can benefit from the use of hearing implants. Typically, children receive cochlear implants from around 12 months or under special circumstances earlier. For adults, there is no upper age-limit for an implantation, although some preliminary evaluations may be needed for the elderly.
How is a hearing implantation carried out?
Having an implant involves a five-step process, where the surgery is only one of the steps:
- Tests and evaluations
- Surgery
- A recovery period
- Activation of the implant and fitting
- Speech therapy and rehabilitation
Are implants effective?
Several scientific studies over the last 20 years have proven that hearing implants such as cochlear implants and bone conduction devices are cost-efficient and improve quality of life when implanted.
Implants typically improve quality of life due to:
- Better understanding of speech and better ability to hear sounds
- Better ability to participate in and follow conversations
- Better ability to participate in family life and social activities
- Better ability to participate in education and training as well as in work life
Source: https://www.hear-it.org/implants
