Cochlear Implants

Abstract

Cochlear implants (CIs) are electronic systems that provide a partial replacement of the sense of hearing to people who have hearing impairment that cannot be alleviated adequately by means of conventional acoustic aids. In most cases of hearing loss, conventional aids that function principally as sound amplifiers are satisfactory. However, if the loss of hearing sensitivity in both ears is severe or profound, particularly across a wide range of frequencies, then amplification with conventional hearing aids may be inadequate. CIs have been developed to bypass the dysfunctional parts of the auditory system. They create hearing sensations by delivering electric stimuli directly to the auditory..