A cochlear implant is a small electronic device that can help provide a sense of sound to a person who is profoundly deaf or severely hard-of-hearing. Unlike hearing aids, which amplify sound, a cochlear implant bypasses damaged portions of the ear and directly stimulates the auditory nerve. Cochlear implants consist of two main parts: an external portion that sits behind the ear and a second portion that is surgically placed under the skin. The external portion includes a microphone, sound processor, and transmitter system, while the implanted portion contains the electronic circuits that receive signals from the external system and send electrical currents to the inner ear.

The implant works by capturing sound signals and sending them to a receiver implanted under the skin behind the ear. The receiver then sends the signals to an electrode array that is placed in the inner ear, bypassing the part of the ear that isn’t working and sending sound straight to the hearing nerve. Cochlear implants are designed to mimic the function of a healthy inner ear (or cochlea) and replace the function of damaged sensory hair cells inside the inner ear to help provide clearer sound than what hearing aids can provide.

It is important to note that the use of a cochlear implant requires both a surgical procedure and significant therapy to learn or relearn the sense of hearing. Hearing through a cochlear implant is different from normal hearing and takes time to learn or relearn. The decision to receive an implant should involve discussions with medical specialists, including an experienced cochlear-implant surgeon. The process can be expensive, and not everyone performs at the same level with this device. Some individuals may choose not to have a cochlear implant for a variety of personal reasons.