Here's What You Should Know About Cochlear Implants!
Cochlear implants (CIs) require brain surgery. Hearing implants aren’t suitable for older adults. CI users can’t listen to music—there are a lot of misconceptions about hearing implants. However, when hearing aids are no longer sufficient, a cochlear implant can help. Find out here what you really need to know about cochlear implants.
Fake news doesn't stop at the world of hearing care. These myths about hearing implants can be easily debunked and dispelled. Instead, you should know the facts about cochlear implants.
MYTH #1: Cochlear implants are only for young people
Fact: There is no upper age limit for receiving a cochlear implant. Nor is there a lower one. Many people receive cochlear implants when they are over 80 or 90 years old. Studies show that older cochlear implant users achieve significant improvements in speech understanding. On the other hand, even young children who were born with severe hearing loss or who suffer from hearing loss can benefit greatly from cochlear implants. Cochlear implants (CIs) enable children with severe hearing loss to hear sounds and noises again—or for the first time—thereby laying the foundation for hearing and speech development.
MYTH #2: Brain surgery is required for a cochlear implant
No. Brain surgery is not required for a cochlear implant. The implantation of a cochlear implant has absolutely nothing to do with brain surgery. During the procedure, an electrode is inserted into the cochlea—the spiral-shaped structure in the inner ear. The surgeon doesn’t even come close to your brain during the procedure. The implant itself is then permanently placed under the skin behind the ear. No wires are routed into the head at all.
MYTH #3: Cochlear implants need to be replaced regularly
Cochlear implants are designed to provide a lifetime of hearing. The lifespan of the hearing implants embedded in the head is 20–30 years. Most people upgrade their external audio processor every few years to take advantage of the latest technology. This external component is a mini-computer worn behind the ear or separately on the head that converts sound waves into digital signals. It can be easily replaced without the need for surgery.
MYTH #4: A cochlear implant can damage residual hearing
Fact: The inner ear is very sensitive—which is why cochlear implants have soft and flexible electrode arrays. Combined with ever-improving surgical techniques, these electrodes help preserve residual hearing. On the contrary, studies show that the insertion of a cochlear implant with its electrode stimulates the inner ear of people with hearing loss, stabilizes the residual hearing of those with severe hearing loss over many years, and significantly improves speech recognition (Sprinzl GM et al. Long-term Hearing Preservation in Electric Acoustic Cochlear Implant Candidates. Otol Neurotol. July 2020;41(6):750-757).
MYTH #5: You can't go swimming with a cochlear implant
Fact: The implant itself is located under the skin and is completely protected from water. However, the external audio processor is typically only splash-proof. State-of-the-art processors even meet the highest IP 68 standard, which allows for submersion in water (1 meter deep for up to 60 minutes). This means you must either remove it before swimming or place it in a waterproof protective case. If you use such a protective case—which various hearing aid manufacturers offer—you can even hear while swimming. Diving to a depth of about 30 meters is also possible with a cochlear implant. In that case, the processor should simply be kept dry. Or, when snorkeling, kitesurfing, or surfing, you can secure the processor with a swim cap or a neoprene hood.
How does a cochlear implant work?
The cochlear implant system essentially consists of two parts: an external component—the audio processor with a transmission coil—and an internal component—the implant itself with its electrode array—which is placed under the skin.
Unlike a hearing aid, which amplifies sound, a cochlear implant bypasses the damaged, non-functioning part of the inner ear, thereby restoring hearing. For patients with sensorineural hearing loss—whose hair cells in the cochlea, the spiral-shaped structure in the inner ear, are missing or damaged—a CI offers a new path to good hearing.
The behind-the-ear (BTE) audio processor consists of a microphone, a cable, and a coil. In addition, there is the SUP (Single-Unit Processor), which integrates all components into a single housing.
The audio processor picks up sound waves (such as from speech) and converts them into electrical signals. Using intelligent signal coding strategies, the incoming signal is decoded, encoded, and transmitted inductively via the coil to the cochlear implant.
There, electrical impulses stimulate the auditory nerve fibers, which relay the signals to the brain so that the information is processed as a natural acoustic event.
MYTH #6: You can’t enjoy music with a cochlear implant
Fact: Many people with cochlear implants enjoy listening to music; quite a few are even talented musicians. Of course, rehabilitation and practice are important for relearning how to listen to music. In general, many cochlear implant users achieve a broad range of hearing capabilities, from environmental sounds to speech to music.
MYTH #7: You can’t get an MRI with a cochlear implant, and you have to avoid Wi-Fi
Fact: An MRI is necessary to examine soft tissues, such as the brain, or fluid-filled cavities, such as the heart or the pancreatic duct. This examination is also possible with hearing implants. Please consult the manufacturer of your implants for specific details.
MYTH #8: Cochlear implant users should be wary of Wi-Fi devices
Wi-Fi devices have no effect whatsoever on cochlear implants or their audio processors. You don’t need to worry if you’re near them.
MYTH #9: You can't travel by plane with a cochlear implant
Fact: Flying with a cochlear implant is no problem! However, you should let the security team at the airport know that you have a hearing implant, as it could set off the security scanners.
MYTH #10: Immediately after implant surgery, you can hear everything and talk on the phone
FACT: After CI implantation, you usually have to wait a few weeks for your cochlear implant to be activated. Re-learning to hear often takes some time and requires training. Audiologists and specialized programs offered by clinics can help with this. This type of rehabilitation is important for successful hearing with the implant.
Myths are often persistent, but they’re still false. Many people with hearing loss later regret not having opted for a cochlear implant sooner. Share what you know about cochlear implants and take the first step. Your local ENT specialist can advise you on this.
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