fbpx

Cochlear Implant: Things you need to know

If the cochlea isn’t functioning well, the auditory nerve is not stimulated and it will be impossible for the sound to reach the brain. This is what is known as sensorineural hearing loss.

What is Cochlear implant?

Cochlear implant is a small snail-shaped medical device that can help provide a sense of hearing for those who have severe hearing loss.

By totally bypassing the harmed piece of the cochlea, the cochlear implant utilizes its very own electrical signs to stimulate the auditory nerve, enabling the individual wearing it to hear.

Cochlear implants have internal and external devices.

The external device picks up the sound and pass it through the ear canal, eardrum and middle ear. The internal device receives the sound and connects it to an electrode array that is implanted into the inner ear.

Who Cochlear implant is for?

Cochlear implants are only for people with severe hearing loss in both ears.

The sound that reaches the person’s ear when using cochlear implant is different from normal hearing. Through regular improvements, the sound will eventually sound natural.

What are the parts of Cochlear implant?

This implant is a marvel if we really are to take a closer look at how it was put up together.

  • Microphone or the external part that picks up the sound
  • Speech processor that selects and arranges the sounds that are picked up by the microphone
  • The stimulator that receives signals from the speech processor and convert them into electric impulse
  • An electrode array that collects the impulses from the stimulator and sends them to different parts of the auditory nerve

What are the benefits of having a cochlear implant?

Just imagine losing your hearing and you are offered a chance to get it back. This can absolutely turn one’s life the other way around, from hearing nothing to hearing something.

1. Keeps you engaged

If you are suffering from severe hearing loss, this implant will be very beneficial. According to a study, people with cochlear implant achieved an average of 80% sentence comprehension. This means you can understand a conversation without the use of visual representation or lip reading.

2. Keeps you safe

Inability to hear the sounds around you can put you in danger, especially when it’s the warning sounds you are missing. Cochlear implant will help you hear sounds again, including the warning sounds, sirens and people calling you out from a possible danger.

3. Keeps you entertained

While life can certainly be enjoyed without the things the modern era brought us, it helps us entertain ourselves if we are able to hear from things like television, sound systems, gadgets, etc.

4. Keeps you connected

You may have an understanding family around you, but it is just such a disconnect when your hearing impairment keeps you unplugged. Well, that will no longer be the case when you have this hearing solution in your ear.

What is the process of getting a Cochlear implant?

1. Undergo testing

The first thing to do is to know whether you are fit to get an implant by undergoing audiological and psychological testing, medical examination and image studies. This you can achieve by setting an appointment at a cochlear implantation centre near you. You may also need to undergo some counseling for you to fully understand the process, benefits and everything you have to know about cochlear implant.

2. Surgery

Once you are done with the necessary tests and examinations, you will now go through the surgery phase. In this stage, the internal part of the implant system is inserted under the skin behind the ear. Electrode array is also carefully inserted through an opening to the Cochlea. You will not be able to hear for the meantime as the surgical site should be healed first before the external device is put in place.

3. Fitting of the external device

After six weeks from the surgery, you will go back to the implantation center to have the external device, the sound processor, placed in its spot. The audiologist will activate the cochlear implant and begin the process of mapping the processor to fit your physiology.

4. Testing

After the internal and external devices are placed in their rightful spots, there will be more fine-tuning and adjustments to be done which may include going for a speech therapy and attending all further sound processor fitting.

The results may vary from person to person. Age can be a factor that affects the outcome of cochlear implantation.

For kids, it is better to have them implanted this device at a young age. For adults, the best results are associated with a shorter period of profound hearing loss prior to cochlear implantation.

Know whether cochlear implant is appropriate for your case. Get a consultation with Listening Lab today!

About The Listening Lab

Listening Lab is a home-grown company whose mission is to help our clients restore their hearing to enjoy the life that they desire. Experiencing hearing loss can be detrimental to one’s quality of life. Hence we commit to providing high-quality hearing solutions.

Our hearing solutions include hearing tests and treatment and prescribing hearing aids. Clients may come to get their hearing checked, and we will assess whether hearing aids are required.

If hearing aids are required, clients can choose from a variety of the best hearing aid brands we provide. Each of the products offers unique features that complement daily use and perform well in helping our clients enjoy the life that they desire.

What Do Our Customers Say?

CatherineTangYap-Testimonial
Person in charge nice and helpful with warm smiling face. Should you have hearing problem, can seek for her advise.
Catherine Tang Yap
MrChing
Your service is marvellous! Patient and friendly. Mr Ching has been a customer of The Listening Lab since 2018. We have been attending to him for his follow up reviews and we are glad to see his progress!
Mr Ching
mr-mrs-Sriram
My husband purchased a Siemens Pure 7PX in 2016. We wish to appreciate Listening Lab for their ongoing attention and professional help they have been providing to us.
Mr & Mrs Sriram
madam Low
My mum has hearing loss for many years. Consultant of Listening Lab helped her fitted with Resound hearing aid. His patience and professionalism was greatly appreciated as the hearing aid enable her to hear and communicate with the people around her especially her grand children. We are happy with the services rendered by consultant. Keep up the good work!!
Madam Low
BryanRichmond-Testimonial
The Voice of two Generations in Singapore radio, Mr Brian Richmond, has chosen The Listening Lab to be his audiology and hearing services provider. We could not be prouder!

Brian is the definitive household name in English Radio since the early years of Singapore's founding, starting with Rediffusion followed by Radio One and now with Gold 90.5FM as well as Vintage Radio Singapore. His honeyed voice and selection of music filling our ears as we lived the bustle of our daily lives.

Soccer fans from the Malaysia Cup era of soccer will never forget his heart-pounding commentary from "live" matches, as we experienced the ups and downs of the Singapore Lions in the 1970s to 90s.

Our Executive Director Kelvin Lee is proudly beaming ear-to-ear in this photo with Brian. But you wont be able to see it through the masks!
Brian Richmond
JonathanPo-Testimonial
I started experiencing loss of hearing sometimes in 2010 (41 years old) owing to some medical issue. I was having difficulties hearing conservation especially in meeting. Thus, giving me the fear in attending meeting.

Initially I started with Phonak hearing aid. It helps amplified the sound and I could hear better then. Somehow, my hearing loss deteriorated further that in late 2012 (43 years old), there was profound loss of hearing on my right ear. Even digital hearing aid could not help. On my left ear there is still about 50% to 60% hearing with hearing aid. I was lost at this point of time. I was considering learning sign language. I went to see my ENT specialist and my audiologist Mr. Bala advised me to go for an CI as an alternative to my hearing loss.

I also thank God for Engineer and Scientist, giving them the knowledge to create such a complex and sophisticate device to help those with hearing loss like me. It will be all perfect if the cost is affordable too.
Jonathan Po
madam goh
I took my mum to Listening Lab at Simei to get her hearing aid fixed, during our first visit, she patiently explained the whole procedure to my mum and also explain to my mum why she really in need to fix the hearing aid. She is very knowledgeable, and friendly, and we are encouraged to ask questions. she is also very patient with old people which is the most importance. Also her after service is superb so I highly recommend.
Mdm Goh
MadamKek-Testimonial
My mum, Madam Kek (73 year old) had the Cochlear implant (CI) done on her left side in 10th September 2019. Thereafter, thanks to the subsequent auditory verbal therapy, evaluation from SGH ENT team, as well as, the support from AB's and Listening Lab staffs; Madam Kek was able to hear, comprehend sound and music from her Cochlear implant, Naida CI Q90, and hearing aid (HA), Naida Link UP, for her right side before end year. We are happy that both the CI and HA have improved mum qualify of life. Now Madam Kek is looking forward to work again to pass her time as she can hear and better communicate with others.
Madam Kek
TitusPang-Testimonial
Titus was implanted when he was 18 months old. He is a happy, talkative 6.5 years old now. AB has been with him for 5 wonderful hearing years and we are looking forward to a bright future that lies ahead for him. AB’s Naída CI sound processors are reliable and the technology is constantly evolving and upgrading. When Titus was introduced to Naida Link CROS, his life was enriched. The wireless network established between his Naida CI sound processor and a Naida Link CROS transmitter allows him to hear from both ears. This changes Titus’s life and the way we interact with him. We are also very pleased with the prompt response and service provided to us. The staff in AB genuinely cares! We want to thank AB for making Titus’s hearing journey an enjoyable and a relatively stress free one!
Titus Pang
mr tan
I have been living with progressive hearing loss for more than three decades. Socially, I find myself fearful of communicating with people and at home, watching 'soundless' television programs is a norm.

An unforgettable experience. Trying on a pair of Resound GN hearing aid, I was energized and revitalized and overwhelmed with emotional tears of joy. The Resound GN is truly remarkable and uniquely equipped with three-friendly-user environmental modes that provide hearing comfort wherever we are.

In particular, I like to extend my utmost gratitude to Hearing Consultant. With her profound compassion and wisdom in guiding me, I am confident that I can forge a formidable partnership with the Listening Lab; So that I can rebuild a new chapter of a happy and value-creative life and simultaneously, leaving behind the painful memories of the past three decades.
Mr Tan
Vector

Consult our hearing
specialist and let us
assist you.

Vector (1)

Schedule a video consultation for this
service and let our hearing specialist
assist you with this service.