What is a Cochlear Implant?
A cochlear implant provides a perception of sound to those who would not otherwise have access to sound. The implant changes sounds into electrical pulses which stimulate the auditory (hearing) nerve directly. The auditory nerve sends these coded electrical pulses to the brain, which is where we really “hear.” The cochlear implant device has two pieces. One piece (internal receiver/stimulator) is implanted into the inner ear during a surgical procedure. The other piece, the speech processor and transmitter/coil, is worn on the outside. Each piece has a magnet. The two magnets attract across the skin, and communicate via radio signals sent across the skin.
