cochlear implant pros and cons

WHAT ARE THE “CONS” OF COCHLEAR IMPLANTS?

Receiving cochlear implants is a fairly routine medical procedure, but surgery (of any kind) always carries certain medical risks. So, it’s important you discuss these risks with your healthcare provider before moving forward.

The sounds are unnatural sound.

While cochlear implant makes hearing possible, the sounds patient hear are not the same sound heard through normal hearing. Environmental noises and people’s voices just sound different when heard through the device.

The surgical procedure is risky.

A cochlear implant is a major procedure. Since the location of the operation is near the brain, general anesthesia is needed to put the patient to sleep (and we know that general anesthesia has negative side effects to some people). Injury to the facial nerve is also a serious risk. This nerve goes through the middle ear and is the one responsible for the movement of our facial muscles.

Loss of residual hearing.

Another risk presented by having the implant is that any remaining or residual hearing a person has maybe destroyed in the implanted ear.

Risk to infection requiring the implant to be removed.

A cochlear implant can cost thousands of dollars, and that money could just be easily wasted when a serious infection requiring the removal of the implant occurs.

Made some medical examinations and treatments not possible.

This hearing device is made of a combination rubber, plastic and metal. Certain medical examinations and treatments, such as MRI imaging, ion radiation therapy and electrical surgery, may dislodge the implant or demagnetized its internal magnet.

It is for a life time.

Children who have undergone the operation at a very young age may have to grow old with their cochlear implant on in order to retain their ability to hear. What is worse is that during a person’s lifetime, the manufacturer of the implant could go out of business. This makes getting a replacement part or customer service in the future very uncertain.

WHAT ARE THE “PROS” OF COCHLEAR IMPLANTS?

Hearing improvement: Cochlear implants can improve hearing and speech perception for your child. People with cochlear implants may still use lip reading and sign language to enhance speech perception and communication.

Speech Development: Cochlear implants help improve the clarity of the child's speech and future development of listening and spoken language skills. Parents can take several steps to maximize outcomes for children with cochlear implants.

Future learning and career opportunities: Children with cochlear implants can hear better in the classroom, usually with the help of assistive technology. CI's may also benefit children as they age and open doors to new career opportunities.

Safety: One of the most notable benefits of a cochlear implant is the ability to hear potential dangers or alerts such as sirens and other important sounds

10 common questions about cochlear implant pros and cons

1How long do cochlear implants last?

For the majority of patients, the sound quality will continually improve over the first six to twelve months. The cochlear implant is a lifelong commitment.

2What is the success rate of a cochlear implant?

A 10-year retrospective analysis of 57 patients showed that the CI malfunctioned in just 4 cases (7 percent). Other studies have found similar results. If implant failure has the highest rate at less than 10 percent of all surgeries, you can assume that your chances for a successful cochlear implant are pretty high

3Why you should get a cochlear implant?

A cochlear implant in early childhood exposes children to sound during the critical period when they learn speech and language skills. The devices work best for children who: Have profound hearing loss in both ears. ... Have support from their parents, teachers, and school programs to help them gain hearing skills

4What is the best age to get a cochlear implant?

Since 2000, cochlear implants have been FDA-approved for use in eligible children beginning at 12 months of age. For young children who are deaf or severely hard-of-hearing, using a cochlear implant while they are young exposes them to sounds during an optimal period to develop speech and language skills

5Is there an age limit for cochlear implants?

The patients were divided into 2 groups (those less than 70 years of age and those at least 70 years of age), and the results were also compared to those of younger adult cochlear implant recipients (less than 60 years of age). ... The mean age at implantation was 68 years (range, 60 to 82 years).

6Can cochlear implants be turned off?

Yes. But you should turn it off to save the battery. Some users wear the sound processor all night so they can hear

7Can you go swimming with a cochlear implant?

People with cochlear implants can't go swimming However, many audio processors now have waterproof accessories, which means you can swim and shower wearing them. ... Check with the manufacturer to what depth it is safe to dive with the internal implant

8Can any deaf person get cochlear implants?

Cochlear implants allow deaf people to receive and process sounds and speech. However, these devices do not restore normal hearing. They are tools that allow sound and speech to be processed and sent to the brain. ... Anyone who can hear well enough with hearing aids is not a good candidate for cochlear implants

9Do cochlear implants restore normal hearing?

Cochlear implants do not cure hearing loss or restore hearing, but they do provide an opportunity for the severely hard of hearing or deaf to perceive the sensation of sound by bypassing the damaged inner ear

10Is cochlear implant surgery painful?

Your Recovery A cochlear implant is a small electronic device that can help you hear if you have severe or total hearing loss. Your doctor made a cut, called an incision, behind your ear. ... You may have mild to moderate pain in and around your ear and have a headache for a few days

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cochlear implant pros and cons