Hearing implants, also known as cochlear implants, is a surgically planted neuroprosthetic that gives a person suffering from sensorineural hearing impairment a more enhanced sense of hearing. CI (Computer Interface) bypasses the normal external acoustic hearing mechanism to directly interface with the auditory nerve using electric pulses that go directly to the auditory nerve instead of the cochlea. The signal that makes up this electrical pulse is generally from an external device such as a hearing aid, hence the term "cochlear implant". An individual undergoing cochlear implantation hears clearer and louder sounds than he did before, and there are several advantages associated with this therapy. It is important to note however that although this form of treatment can definitely improve the quality of sound experienced by individuals, it does not restore their hearing ability to the level they were accustomed to; rather, it augments and improves the ability of the individual to perceive sound in the external environment. Hearing aids in general are considered safer than invasive surgical procedures; however, complications can still occur including excessive exposure to noise, hearing loss due to cochlear implants placing the individual's ear at an obstructed angle, or an implant malformation. When selecting a hearing aid, it is critical to do your research and understand each hearing aid's specific limitations and strengths. A hearing aid will not restore your hearing ability to the degree that it was before your injury, but it will allow you to hear better and will increase your ability to distinguish different sounds and nuances. There are two types of hearing aids - behind-the-ear and in-ear devices. Both types work by using the patient's own body fat to completely immerse the electronic circuit within the inner workings of the ear. Although the concept is similar, the actual implementation is quite different because behind-the-ear hearing aids require the insertion of the device in the outer ear, while in-ear devices are inserted into the cranium surrounding the eardrum. Since in-ear devices are typically more effective when compared with behind-the-ear hearing aids, the latter is generally more popular. One of the most common types of hearing implants is the Behind-the Ear Implant. These devices work by providing electrical signals directly to the brain. They function through the process of transducers and conductors that change the electrical current into sound vibrations. Transducers are often made from hair cells that have been surgically grown in the lab and then mounted in the patient's outer ear; however, a portion of the hair cell must remain surgically removed once the procedure has been completed. When comparing different types of hearing aids, it is important to note that not all sound waves are absorbed equally by the body. Some sound waves are sound vibrated and sent to the outer ear where they can then be reverberated back into the patient's inner ear, resulting in a perceived increase in sound quality. Other sound waves are sound waves that are simply reflected or transmitted from the speaker. For instance, when a friend speaks to you, your ears will pick up the sound, but since your inner ear cannot receive the signal, it does not create an auditory illusion. Ponto earphones are another popular method of delivering sound vibrations to the inner ear without the use of hearing aids. The device is made up of a flexible plastic tube, which fits inside the inner part of the ear. There are usually two or three transducers that are implanted in the middle of the tube. The tube is attached to the top of the oticon medical device, which is placed behind the ear. The vibrations pass through the thin bone in the back of the ear and the vibrations then travel to the recipient's brain. Knowledge is power, to add more on this topic, please see this post: https://www.britannica.com/technology/hearing-aid.
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