Hearing is one of the five main human senses that significantly affects the quality of life.... The ability to hear sounds can be a big challenge for millions of people around the world who are deaf or have severe hearing loss.... Cochlear implantation is an advanced method that has provided a new opportunity to restore the hearing power of these people.... In this article from , we will examine how to perform this surgery and its advantages and disadvantages to You can get a more accurate and clear picture of it.

What is snail planting?

Cochlear implants, one of the most common types of ear surgery, are performed for people who have severe hearing loss in one or both ears and hearing aids cannot improve their hearing. The inner ear problem is still active, although the hair cells located in a part of the inner ear called the cochlea have been damaged.

The implant contains a sound processor that is installed behind the ear and receives the sounds of the environment.. This processor sends sound signals to a receiver that is placed under the skin... These electrodes stimulate the cochlear nerve to send signals to the brain and the brain perceives them as sound.

Contrary to the opinion of people who are looking for invisible cochlear implants, we must say that this device is not invisible. The parts of the device that are under the skin cannot be seen, but its external part, which includes the sound processor, is installed on the ear and is completely visible.

It should be noted that there are different types of ear surgery, each of which is performed with a specific purpose.. For example, mastoidectomy is a type of surgery that is performed to remove chronic infections and repair the eardrum and helps control the symptoms of eardrum rupture.

Why is cochlear implant surgery performed?

Cochlear implantation is performed when a person is faced with severe hearing loss and the use of hearing aids can no longer help him.... This treatment method can significantly improve the ability to hear and improve the quality of life of the person.

The cochlear implant may be implanted in only one ear, which is called unilateral implantation... but in some cases, the patient will benefit from implantation in both ears, which is called bilateral implantation.

Most people who have lost their hearing for various reasons such as acoustic neuroma and undergo this surgery, experience positive changes that include the following:

• Ability to hear conversations without lip reading
• Hearing and identifying everyday sounds, especially sounds that may be alarming
• The ability to detect the exact location of the sound
• Hear the sound of TV and comfortable conversation on the phone
• Reduction of tinnitus in the ear where the implant is placed

There are other ways to improve hearing, one of which is brainstem hearing surgery... This method completely bypasses the inner ear and directly stimulates the auditory nerve.... People who are not eligible for cochlear implants, such as those whose auditory nerve is not working properly, may be good candidates for auditory brainstem implants.

Who are candidates for cochlear implantation?

To be able to perform cochlear implant surgery, you must meet the following conditions:

• Your hearing loss prevents you from communicating effectively with others
• Using hearing aids does not have a significant effect on improving your hearing, which is determined by conducting a test
• Be interested in learning how to use a cochlear implant
• Accept the benefits and limitations of cochlear implants in improving hearing

How to prepare for cochlear implantation?

The doctor will provide you with the information you need to prepare for the operation. This information usually includes the following:

• Drugs and supplements you should stop taking and for how long
• Duration of fasting before surgery

In addition to complying with pharmaceutical and nutritional recommendations, it is also necessary to perform the following medical procedures:

• Do hearing, speech and possibly balance tests
• Physical examination
• Performing imaging tests such as MRI or CT scan to check the inner ear

How is snail planting?

Cochlear implant surgery is usually performed under general anesthesia so that the patient sleeps during the operation and does not feel pain... In this surgery, the doctor first makes a small incision behind the ear and a small hole in an area of ​​the skull bone called the mastoid in order to access the internal structures of the ear... Then he passes the implant through these holes and finally sutures the skin.

Care after cochlear implantation

Shortly after surgery, you or your child may experience temporary problems such as dizziness, nausea, and pressure in the ears, which usually subside with time.

Most patients can go home on the same day of surgery... but if you are an adult, due to the effects of the anesthetic, someone else must accompany you and take responsibility for your return home, as it is not possible to drive immediately after the operation.

1... Device activation

Approximately one to four weeks after surgery, it is time to activate the implant....In some special cases, this may begin the day after surgery....Activation is performed by an audiologist and includes the following steps:

• Preset the sound processor to suit your circumstances
• Checking the correct operation of the implant to ensure its proper efficiency
• Evaluate the amount and type of sounds you can recognize
• Complete training on how to properly use the implant and care for it

2.... rehabilitation

The rehabilitation process involves training the brain to understand and interpret the sounds received through the implant.. At first, sounds may seem unnatural or unfamiliar... because the brain is not yet used to the new way of receiving sounds...

This stage requires time, practice and patience so that the brain can understand and analyze new sounds and communicate with them effectively... It is recommended to use the sound processor all the hours you are awake and only remove it from your ears when swimming or showering.

Regular visits to the doctor are also very important... These visits, which usually last until the end of life, include the following:

• Hearing status check
• Fine-tuning of the processor to improve the quality of sound reception

Success rate of cochlear operation

The success rate of this surgery varies from person to person and is influenced by various factors... One of the important factors is the main cause of hearing loss... Also, the length of time a person has lived with severe hearing loss and whether or not they were able to speak or read before the onset of this problem plays an important role in determining the final result.

People who have learned speech and language skills before hearing loss usually respond better to surgery... Also, children who have had severe hearing loss from the beginning, if they undergo surgery at a young age, they will most likely get better results... because at the same time as language and speech develop, they will also benefit from better hearing power.

In the case of adults, the shorter the time interval between the onset of hearing loss and the surgery, the greater the chance of success. People with mild or total deafness from birth usually use cochlear implants less often, but even in these cases, partial recovery is achieved.

Some of the expected results after surgery are:

• Hearing sounds more clearly: Most people can hear sounds better over time.
• Tinnitus reduction: Although cochlear implants are not specifically designed to treat tinnitus, they can help reduce it in some cases. Of course, tinnitus may rarely get worse after surgery.

Complications after cochlear implantation

Cochlear implant surgery is generally considered safe for the deaf, but like any other medical intervention, it may be associated with the following problems in some cases:

• Infection of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, which is called bacterial meningitis...
• Bleeding
• Inability to move the face on the side where the surgery was performed (facial paralysis)
• Infection at the surgical site
• Difficulty in maintaining balance
• dizziness
• Taste problems
• leakage of cerebrospinal fluid
• Long-term pain or numbness at the cochlear implant site
• Despite the surgery, there is no improvement in hearing
• Intensification or the appearance of ringing in the ears (in this situation, consult a doctor about the treatment of tinnitus at home or in the office.)

Other disadvantages of cochlear implantation include the following:

• Loss of residual normal hearing: If a person has little normal hearing before the operation, this ability may be completely lost due to the electrode entering the cochlea and damage to the remaining hearing cells.
• Failure of the device: The failure or unfavorable performance of the implant is one of the challenges that some people may face and for this reason they may need to repeat the surgery.

Cochlear implantation in children

In children with severe bilateral hearing loss, implants are usually placed in both ears at the same time. This procedure is mostly done for babies and children who are in the early stages of learning to speak.

The rehabilitation process is different for children and adults... Children who have been hearing impaired since birth begin to learn and develop their language skills by taking advantage of the new auditory signals provided by the implant... On the other hand, adults who already have language skills must adapt and interpret these new signals with their previous ability... For this reason, the rehabilitation process in children immediately after activation The implant starts..

Cochlear implant surgery in adults

In most cases, adults who suffer from hearing loss first use an implant in one ear and a hearing aid in the other. Over time, if the hearing in the ear with the hearing aid is further reduced and its function is affected, the person may be a candidate to receive an implant in both ears. This should be done in both ears at the same time.

Adult rehabilitation usually begins after at least one month of experience using the implant.... At this stage, the individual's conditions, including his needs in terms of effective communication and adaptation to the surrounding environment, are examined, and based on this evaluation, the rehabilitation program is determined.... Based on the results of the functional evaluation, the therapist organizes a suitable treatment program for the next weekly sessions or, if needed, in the next sessions...

Endword

Cochlear implant surgery is an advanced procedure that helps people with severe hearing loss to hear the sounds around them... If you are thinking of doing this surgery for yourself or your child, or if you have questions about the procedures, costs and post-operative care, the best way is to consult an ear, nose and throat specialist... The doctor can provide the necessary guidance by examining your condition and facilitate an informed decision.

You can apply through the site GCORP LLC and consult online with the best specialist doctors, including an ear, nose and throat specialist.... Also, GCORP LLC company has provided you with the possibility to make an appointment with the specialist you want through the online appointment system for face-to-face consultation and without throat.. Specialist.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources: mayoclinic, hopkinsmedicine