Auditory Enhancement
1961
1st cochlear implant in America
Performed by Dr. William House
1984
Cochlear implant (CI) surgery approved by U.S. food & Drug Admin
single channel implants
Today
cochlear implants are widespread
120,000 people worldwide received implants
Cochlear Implants (CI)
mechanical prosthesis for the ear
electrodes are surgically implanted into the cochlea
do not restore/cure normal hearing or eliminate deafness
provide representation of environmental sounds
may help to understand speech
Deaf & Hard of Hearing
some have CI surgery
controversary
recommended to research options before surgery
recommended to talk w/ deaf and HH before final decision
requires post surgery training or rehabilitation
"fixing" is not needed
fear od deaf culture and community disappearing
regrets
bypasses bones of the inner ear
secured inside the skull
sound waves are absorbed and interpreted by auditory nerve
sound and speech processor worn externally behind the ear
processor held in place by by a magnet connected to the implant
takes time identify sounds and make sense of words
subject to problems
recalls
improper healing
moisture issues
discomfort or pain
bacterial meningitis
doesn't make a child just like their "hearing" peers