Cochlear Implantation

Summary

Historically, cochlear implants are the first substitute for a sensory modality, hearing. In past decades, they have become a standard method of a compensation for a hearing loss, both for children and adults. Because of restored hearing by cochlear implants, people were able to keep their jobs, marriages and other social ties. Many children born deaf could attend standard schools from basic education to universities, together with their hearing peers, the fact which had influenced greatly their future lives.

Unfortunately, not all suitable candidates for cochlear implants get them. Paradoxically, not due to insufficient financing as before or in undeveloped countries nowadays, but due to lack of a correct information and a lack of interest both in patients and specialists.

In our contribution, a principle of the cochlear implant is explained, together with proper indications, modes of application and results of its usage. Because of a limited text span, a history of development of cochlear implants is skipped completely. Nevertheless, we believe that the information proper will reach all those, who could benefit from it.

Keywords:

hearing – neuroprosthesis – surgical procedures – ear