Binaural Cochlear Implant Is Proving To Be A Breakthrough Solution For Individuals Suffering From Hearing Impairment

 

A cochlear implant, also known as a binaural brainstem auditory implant, is a surgically planted microstimulation device to give a person with mild to severe sensorineural deafness a modified perception of sound. CI bypasses the natural auditory nerve pathway to replace it with small, targeted electric signals that directly interact with the auditory nerve without affecting the natural function of the auditory nerves. These auditory impulses are processed by the brainstem and sent to the ear. The frequency of these impulses depends on the frequency produced by the stimulus applied to the auditory nerve pathway. AS per the World Health Organization (WHO), around 11.1 million individuals in Germany suffer from hearing impairment.

The major benefits of binaural cochlear implants are twofold. First, the hearing disorder does not appear to be a permanent condition. Depending on how severe the hearing disorder is, CI can be used for periods of one, two, three, four, or more years. This means that individuals with mild to moderate hearing disorders can go months or years without wearing a hearing aid. The other major benefit of CI is that it does not require invasive procedures and can be performed in an outpatient facility.

The most common type of binaural cochlear implant is the monaural program, which has high frequencies that are coordinated to produce the desired effect. The benefit of this therapy is that it produces a consistent signal, thus eliminating the side effects of fluctuating signals that are produced by conventional cochlear implants. Moreover, it provides a more natural type of hearing, unlike the constant throbbing that occurs from CI. The side effects of this therapy include tinnitus, which is the perception of ringing in the ears. Recently, in December 202, Advanced Bionics (AB), in collaboration with Phonak, received the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for its cochlear implant wearers including Sky CI Marvel.