CI is made up of 2 distinct parts, the external BTE hearing aid like portion sits behind the ear and a second implantable portion is surgically placed in the skull. Any given implant has four parts in the core

• Microphone/s to pick up the sounds from environment
• Speech Processor analyses and converts the sound from microphone into an electrical form so that it can be sent to stimulate auditory nerve
• Transmitter and receiver/stimulator receive the processed signals from speech processor and converts them into electrical impulses
• Electrode array, a group of electrodes that stimulates the different regions of auditory nerve

Though the speech from cochlear implant might sound unusual with the passage of time and proper training to learn to interpret the signals received from a cochlear implant, most people with cochlear implants make considerable gains in understanding speech.

People who have cochlear implants report improved:

• Perceive speech without relying on visual cues
• Appreciate environmental sounds
• Better ability to understand speech in noise
• Better ability to localize and lateralize source of sound (in binaural implants or in single sided deafness)
• Can appreciate rhythm, intonation and music in better manner
• Early implantation has led to better quality of voice which can be compared to normal hearing individuals.
• Near normal acquisition intonation patterns of speech

Professional counselling and CI recommendation based on assessment

While activation of cochlear implant, an audiologist will do the following:

• Mapping of CI to customize speech processor to the child’s needs
• Verify the mapping by eABR
• Optimize the mapping
• Determine the sound levels that child will hear
• Guidance on care and maintenance

Rehabilitation is the most crucial part of CI program. The success of CI depends directly on AVT. Both therapist and caretaker need to to be efficient, upon activation of sounds heard through CI will be totally different and mostly high-pitched electrical type. The listener needs to be trained on understanding speech sounds, tone, intonation and other environmental sounds. Basically, in post CI rehabilitation brain will be trained to accept, analyse and understand the sounds heard through the cochlear implant. Brain needs time to recognize what these sounds mean. This process is ongoing and is best achieved by wearing the speech processor continuously during working hours and augmented by AVT.

A successful CI needs multiple factors to be addressed, it’s a long-term program which shapes the communication abilities of the user and demands efficient skills as there are risks involved in it at many levels. Even a small mistake could lead to cascade of challenges which can have a potential detrimental effect on child’s physical and communicational wellbeing. Contact our audiologists for a detailed discussion on getting best out of CI rehabilitation program.