Snail Tales: Cochlear Implants

By Sharaine J. Rawlinson, MSWMaterials Development Specialist

WROCCCalifornia State University

Northridge

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OverviewCochlear Implants are referred to as auditory prosthesis.They are:

for people who cannot benefit from hearing aidscontroversialavailable in different modelsa personal choice

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ExpectationsCIs will not restore hearing to “normal”Benefits vary among individualsSome CI users only gain knowledge of environmental soundOthers gain ability to use telephone and hear musicCIs do not make a deaf person hearing!

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How Cochlear Implants Work

Cochlear implants are designed to by-pass cochlear hair cells which are non-functioning and provide direct stimulation to the auditory nerve.

Cilia (hair cells) in a cross-section of a cochlea

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Specifically …The microphone picks up sounds and sends them to the processor

The processor then selects and codes sounds which produce useful speech, music, etc.

From the processor, sounds are transmitted through the skin to the receiver/stimulator via the magnetic headset

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From here …The codes are then converted to electrical signals which activate the electrode arrays

The electrodes then stimulate the auditory nerve where the brain recognizes the electrical signals as sounds.

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Internal Component

A

CB

A – Magnet

B – Receiver/Stimulator

C – Electrode Array

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The Electrode Array During Implantation

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Implanted Receiver/Stimulator

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Enlargement of Implanted Cochlea

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Processors

Clarion

MED-EL

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External ComponentsMicrophone (A)Signal Processor (B)Signal Coupler [Transmitter] (C)

A

C

B

C

A

B

Clarion

A

C

B

B

MED-EL

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Aural RehabilitationFollowing hook-up, many people participate in aural rehabilitationAural rehabilitation consists of learning to listen, training the brain to decipher individual sounds, followed by more and more complex sounds as one’s listening skills improve

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The Controversy Surrounding CIs

NAD’s former position on implanting childrenAG Bell’s position on sign language vs. oralAre children who receive implants stolen from the Deaf World?Are children who have implants being “scarred for life”?

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The Controversy Continued …

Do adults who receive cochlear implants risk alienation by their deaf friends and colleagues?Interpreters as critics.Is the corporate world creating implants simply for the money?Are doctors ignoring cultural aspects of deafness?

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Accommodating the Student Who Uses a

Cochlear Implant

Provision of InterpretersReal-time CaptioningAssistive Listening DevicesSeating in ClassroomClassroom LightingNotetaking Services

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What Can You Do For These Students?

Remember, they are NOT hearing people!If the student signs, always sign with them even if they appear to comprehend your spoken voiceUse Assistive Listening DevicesMake sure the student is looking at you when you talk to them

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What Can You Do For These Students?

Acknowledge that cochlear implants are here to stay and that these students should be included in activities, not shunnedAssist the student with a CI in learning communication skills that will enable them to communicate with other students who do not have a CI

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Cochlear Implant Resources

Cochlear Implant Association International – www.cici.orgCochlear Corporation – www.cochlear.comAdvanced Bionics (Clarion) – www.advancedbionics.comMed-El – www.med-el.com

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More CI Resources (cont’d)“Sound and Fury”, video by Josh Aronson, 2000Cochlear Implant Forum Listserv – Email: TO:listser@yorku.ca From: (Your e-mail address) Subject: (Leave it blank) Message: Subscribe ci (your name) Email: sharaine.rawlinson@csun.edu

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More CI Resources (Cont’d)

Self-Help for Hard of Hearing People (SHHH) – www.shhh.orgAssociation of Late-Deafened Adults (ALDA) – www.alda.orgNational Association of the Deaf (NAD) – www.nad.orgWired For Sound, by Beverly BidermanHear Again, by Arlene Romoff

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