Summary
Cochlear implants -- surgically implanted devices -- may help people suffering from significant hearing loss regain some hearing.
Original source:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/kidshealth/20050727/hl_kidshealth/cochlear_implants;_ylt=Ao9k.buec6Kev42mQjQ3USfVJRIF;_ylu=X3oDMTBiMW04NW9mBHNlYwMlJVRPUCUl
Details
Sometimes called a "bionic ear," the cochlear implant offers the hope of regaining or restoring the ability to sense sound for some people who have experienced significant hearing loss.
Although they're not miracle devices, cochlear implants help some children and adults, whether they're born deaf or whether hearing loss occurs later in life, experience talking on the phone, listening to music, and hearing the voices of their friends and loved ones - things a person with normal hearing often takes for granted.
Its function is to gather electrical signals from sound vibrations and transmit them to your auditory nerve (or hearing nerve).
If important parts of the cochlea aren't working properly and the hearing nerve isn't being stimulated, there's no way for the electrical signals to get to your brain.
By completely bypassing the damaged part of the cochlea, the cochlear implant uses its own electrical signals to stimulate the auditory nerve, allowing the person to hear.
The hair cells bend back and forth and send electrical signals to the hearing nerve, and the hearing nerve then carries these signals to the brain, where they're interpreted.
The actual cochlear implant consists of an implant package, which is secured inside the skull, and a sound and speech processor, which is worn externally (outside the body).
a receiver-stimulator that contains all of the electronic circuits that control the flow of electrical pulses into the ear an antenna that receives the signals from the external sound and
speech processor a magnet that holds the external sound and speech processor in place two wires containing electrodes that are inserted into the cochlea (the number of electrodes can vary depending on the cochlear implant model type used).
About the author: Mike Adams is a natural health author and award-winning journalist with a passion for sharing empowering information to help improve personal and planetary health He is a prolific writer and has published thousands of articles, interviews, reports and consumer guides, and he has created several downloadable courses on survival and preparedness, including his widely-downloaded course on personal safety and self-defense. Adams is a trusted, independent journalist who receives no money or promotional fees whatsoever to write about other companies' products. In mid 2010, Adams produced TV.NaturalNews.com, a natural health video sharing website offering user-generated videos on nutrition, green living, fitness and more. He also launched an online retailer of environmentally-friendly products (BetterLifeGoods.com) and uses a portion of its profits to help fund non-profit endeavors. He's also the CEO of a highly successful email newsletter software company that develops software used to send permission email campaigns to subscribers. Adams also serves as the executive director of the Consumer Wellness Center, a non-profit consumer protection group, and practices nature photography, Capoeira, martial arts and organic gardening. He's also author a large number of health books offered by Truth Publishing and is the creator of numerous reference website including NaturalPedia.com and the free downloadable Honest Food Guide. His websites also include the free reference sites HerbReference.com and HealingFoodReference.com. Adams believes in free speech, free access to nutritional supplements and the innate healing ability of the human body.
Have comments on this article? Post them here:
people have commented on this article.
Tuesday, August 02, 2005
Email this article to a friend
Share
this article on: 
