Can seniors get cochlear implants?
Hearing doctor Mesa AZ
For people with hearing loss, there are a few different options available that may help them to function better in their daily lives. One of the options is a cochlear implant. However, many adult patients mistakenly believe that cochlear implants are only for children and that adults can only use hearing aids.
When might a cochlear implant be a viable option for a senior with hearing loss? How does it compare to hearing aids?
How do cochlear implants work?
A cochlear implant is an electronic device that is surgically implanted into the inner ear. It replaces the cochlea, which is the organ of hearing. In the cochlea, small cells called hair cells detect sound waves and then transmit information about them to the brain via the auditory nerve. The cochlear implant detects sounds and transmits information about them to the brain through the auditory nerve.
The cochlear implant is implanted into the inner ear and is electrically connected to the auditory nerve. The patient also wears a device behind the ear that picks up sounds with a microphone. Information about these sounds is transmitted wirelessly into the cochlear implant, which then transfers them directly into the auditory nerve. This allows the brain to receive information about the sounds.
Once the patient has recovered from surgery, the implant is activated and adjusted by an audiologist. There is generally an adjustment period while the brain learns how to interpret the new information. However, the majority of patients demonstrate improvements in speech understanding after the procedure.
Who can benefit from a cochlear implant?
Cochlear implants are useful in cases of hearing loss that is caused by damage to the cochlea. Many cases of babies and young children with hearing loss fall into this category. At the same time, most cases of presbycusis (age-related hearing loss) also do.
Presbycusis is caused by damage to the hair cells of the inner ear. Over time, exposure to loud sounds damages the hair cells. They become unable to sense sound waves. As more and more hair cells are damaged, hearing is gradually lost. The hair cells are located in the cochlea, so getting a cochlear implant can help to bypass the damaged hair cells and lead to improvements in hearing. Studies have shown that many older adults who receive cochlear implants show improvements in speech understanding afterward.
A cochlear implant will not help in cases of hearing loss caused by damage to the nerve or to the brain. For instance, if hearing loss is caused by a stroke, cochlear implants will generally not be recommended. An evaluation by a hearing health professional will determine what is causing hearing loss and whether a cochlear implant might be an option.
Cochlear implants vs hearing aids
For many seniors suffering from severe age-related hearing loss, hearing aids may not be the ideal solution. This is because they primarily work by increasing the volume of sounds that are coming into the ear. However, if too many hair cells have been lost, then the ear simply cannot detect the sounds. Increasing the volume of those sounds will not help. Even the best hearing aids may not be able to get around this problem.
With a cochlear implant, the damaged hair cells are bypassed. This can theoretically allow for the restoration of hearing. In an ear that has lost most or all of its hearing ability, a cochlear implant may represent a significant improvement.
In general, most patients who are in the earlier stages of age-related hearing loss can do very well with a hearing aid. Technological advancements have greatly improved hearing aid performance, and those with milder hearing loss often find that they’re able to function very well in their daily lives with the right hearing aids.
However, it’s important for patients to know that cochlear implants, while technologically sophisticated, are not magic. They cannot completely restore normal hearing.
Hearing doctor Mesa AZ
Whether a cochlear implant may be a good option for you depends on the specifics of your situation. If you’re considering the possibility of a cochlear implant, then a consultation with an audiologist is your next step. It’s important that the appointment is with an audiologist, who has an advanced degree and training in hearing health, rather than with a hearing aid dispenser, who is only trained in selecting hearing aids.
If you’re in the area around Phoenix and Mesa, we invite you to make an appointment with one of our highly qualified audiologists. After hearing tests to determine the cause of your hearing loss, then you’ll get personalized recommendations, and will be able to get all of your questions answered so that you can make an informed decision about what’s right for you. To schedule your appointment, you can call us at 480-456-0176 or use the form at the bottom of this page to get in touch with us.
