About Cochlear Implants

A cochlear implant is a device used to treat sensorineural hearing loss.

Sensorineural hearing loss is one of the most common forms of hearing loss, related to the natural process of aging or to exposure to loud noise over an extended period of time. With sensorineural hearing loss, the hair cells of the inner ear are permanently damaged and no longer relay signals to the brain to be processed as sound.

For people with sensorineural hearing loss, a cochlear implant assists in the hearing process. According to the American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA), “With a cochlear implant, the damaged hair cells are bypassed, and the auditory nerve is stimulated directly. The cochlear implant does not result in ‘restored’ or ‘cured’ hearing. It does, however, allow for the perception of the sensation of sound.”

Cochlear implants consist of two parts, external and internal. The internal part of the cochlear implant is surgically implanted, and consists of a receiver and electrodes. The external part of the implant, which consists of a microphone, speech processor, and transmitter, picks up sound from your environment. These sounds make their way to the internal part, which takes transmitted electric signals and stimulates the auditory nerve, thus allowing you to perceive sound.

Our board certified audiologist is the only provider in Lakeland, FL that can program and service all 3 manufacturers of cochlear implants.

We’re here to help you hear better and enjoy life more! Call or text us today.