Cochlear Implants: Cost and Overview

What causes hearing loss?

The human ear is divided into three sections: the external ear, which includes the ear and the ear canal, the middle ear, which includes the cavity, three auditory ossicles, and mastoid air cells, and the inner ears, which include the cochlea, which transduces sound waves to the brain, and semicircular canals, which help control balance and three-dimensional acceleration.

Because voices or sounds are waves, they are directed to the tympanic membrane by the pinna and ear canal. When the tympanic membrane vibrates, the auditory ossicles move in response. The stapes, the last bone in the chain of ossicles, then strikes the oval window of the cochlea. The pressure waves received by the cochlea are transmitted to the auditory nerves via hair cells or stereocilia, and the signal received by the auditory nerves is interpreted by the brain via the auditory cortex of the temporal lobe.

Damage to hair cells, which cannot regenerate on their own, is the most common cause of hearing loss or inability to hear. Other causes include ageing or presbycusis, inherited genes, side effects from certain disorders, medications, chemicals, and direct ear damage. As a result, there are three major types of hearing loss: conductive loss or a problem with transmitting sound waves, sensorineural loss or a problem with the inner ear, and mixed loss is a combination of both conductive and sensorineural. To diagnose hearing loss, generated or recorded sounds with varying frequencies will be played, and the patient’s hearing will be determined by whether or not they can be heard.

Hearing aid or Cochlear Implants?

Hearing aids, or electronic devices that amplify sound vibrations travelling through the air, can help people with mild to moderate hearing loss better follow voices and conversations around them. However, in the case of moderate to profound sensorineural loss, Cochlear Implants, which are divided into two parts: internal components that are embedded in the cochlea and transmit signals directly to nerves, and external components that include microphones, speech processors, and transmitters that send processed signals to internal components implanted inside the ear, would be a better option for improving hearing loss conditions because hearing aids only amplify sound waves to a higher range of decibels but the waves still needed to pass through the damaged middle or inner ear, whereas Cochlear Implants bypass damaged portions of the ears and send signals directly to the auditory nerves.

Who can consider for Cochlear Implants?

Even if Cochlear Implants do not restore normal hearing, they can represent sounds and speech in the environment, making them suitable for children and adults who are completely deaf or have severe hearing loss, equivalent to 80 decibels in adults and 90 decibels in children. Cochlear implants are not cheap, but studies have shown that patients who receive Cochlear Implants with intensive hearing therapy can improve or recover their speech and language skills.

If you are considering Cochlear Implant surgery, you must first undergo a physical examination, particularly an external and middle ear examination, as well as a hearing test to determine the cause of your hearing loss and physical damage to your ears. Another important pre-operation assessment is the ability to develop patients’ hearing and communication skills after implant operations to ensure the success of Cochlear Implants.

Cochlear Implants Operation and Post-operation Hearing Rehabilitation

Mastoidectomies with the facial recess approach (MFRA) are the most commonly used technique in Cochlear Implants. The surgeon makes a small incision behind the ear and then creates an opening in the mastoid bone to guide the electrode that will be placed inside the cochlea. Following that, an internal processor will be implanted behind the ear in the pocket between the muscle and bone. The internal processor will be connected to the external speech processor before closing the incisions. Other procedures include surgeries through the suprameatal triangle and endoscopic implantation.

Most patients are discharged the same day, with the exception of those who are very young, very old, or have medical issues that require overnight observation after the operation. Pain, swelling, drainage, and fever are all possible side effects of implant surgery. There is also a 3% chance of complications in Cochlear Implants surgery, such as mastoiditis, otitis media, facial nerve and chorda tympani damage, infections, and shifting of the implanted device, which necessitates a second correction procedure. However, Cochlear Implants can be considered a safe operating procedure.

Within weeks after the incisions were cured, the audiologist will program the Cochlear Implants and show you how to use the external processor on the ear. Hearing rehabilitation will last four to six weeks in order to train the brain to interpret sounds received via Cochlear Implants. Appointments are also held every six to twelve months to assess the progress of learning sounds and make any necessary Cochlear Implant adjustments.

Cochlear Implants at Phyathai 1 International

Ear, Nose and Throat Center of Phyathai 1 International is available with experienced physicians specialized in diagnostic and supporting hearing loss in both children and adults. We offered Cochlear Implants for patients with severe hearing difficulties using the latest technology available and being done by our skilled surgeons. Ear, Nose and Throat Center of Phyathai 1 International are also offering hearing tests, digital hearing aids, and hearing and speaking rehabilitation with supportive and comprehensive care.

For treatment of hearing loss, or other problems with hearing, please consult with our specialist Ear, Nose and Throat Center, open daily from 7 am to 7 pm. To ensure the fastest procedure time, We recommend taking a reservation  by phone at number (+66)2-201-4600 ext.2365-67 or by E-mail at [email protected].