5 Conditions When You Should Consider a Cochlear Implant

How can we identify people with severe hearing issues? And what are the conditions?

I was exploring to learn about the conditions, and I realized that due to infections, trauma or disease, genetic disorders, earwax blockage, etc, can cause ear damage.

During conversations with individuals who have experienced hearing loss, it was mentioned that they often lose their hearing due to injuries, tumors, or illnesses.

Cochlear Implants are the most effective solution for correcting ear problems.

What is a Cochlear Implant?

A cochlear implant is an electronic device that helps individuals with hearing loss to hear sounds more clearly.

These implants allow people to develop the ability to listen and understand words and other voices.

Doctors first check whether this device has to be implanted or not, and after that, the device is implanted.

5 Conditions that Requires Cochlear Implant

Here is the list of conditions that require a cochlear implant procedure. Read it carefully:

1. Sensorineural Hearing Loss

As we know, the ear has three parts: the outer, middle, and inner areas. SNHL Sensorineural hearing loss appears when the inner area of the ear gets damaged due to injury.

Causes

• Illnesses
• Drugs that cause hearing issues.
• Hearing loss runs in the family.
• Aging
• A blow to the head.
• Inner area damaged
• Loud noises

Symptoms

• Muffled hearing
• Difficulty understanding speech
• Sudden or steady loss of hearing
• Full or “stuffy” sensation in the ear
• Ringing in the ear
• Dizziness

Diagnosis

• Continuing observation with repeated hearing tests
• Medical therapy
• Low-sodium diet
• Evaluation and fitting of a hearing aid
• Surgery
• Surgery to implant a hearing device

2. Congenital hearing loss

This problem is found in newborns who lose their hearing senses at birth; for that, they have to undergo a cochlear implantation procedure.

Causes

• Genetic factors
• Maternal infections during pregnancy
• Premature birth
• Birth trauma
• Syndromes and other medical conditions
• Exposure to ototoxic medications

Symptoms

• Lack of response to loud noises,
• failure to startle,
• delayed speech,
• difficulty understanding speech,
• frequent ear infections, and inattentiveness.

Diagnose

• Assistive devices 
• Hearing aids
• Cochlear implants
• Sign language

3. Sudden sensorineural loss

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss is a prevalent and alarming condition that affects many individuals, especially those with underlying hearing problems. It is a type of hearing loss that occurs suddenly and unexpectedly, often within 72 hours. 

Causes

• Viral infections
• Vascular disorders
• Autoimmune diseases
• Trauma or injury
• Ototoxic medications
• Inner ear disorders

Symptoms

• fullness
• dizziness or ringing in the ear

Diagnosis

Sudden deafness is treated with corticosteroids. These medications fight inflammation and other illnesses. Doctors inject steroids into the middle ear, and it flows into the inner ear to treat the condition.

4. Progressive Hearing Loss

Progressive hearing loss is a condition in which a person's ability to hear gradually deteriorates over time. This type of hearing loss can occur in both ears and can affect people of all ages. 

Causes

• Age-related hearing loss
• Noise-induced hearing loss
• Genetic factors
• Ototoxic medications
• Ear diseases and infections
• AIED
• Tumor
• Cardiovascular diseases

Symptoms

• Muffling of speech
• Trouble understanding words
• Trouble hearing the letters
• Often asking others to speak more slowly
• Needing to turn up the volume
• Staying clear of some social settings
• Being bothered by background noise
• Ringing in the ears, known as tinnitus

Diagnosis

• Behavioral Hearing Tests
• Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) Tests
• Auditory Steady-State Response (ASSR) Test
• Central Auditory Evoked Potential (CAEP) Test
• Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE) Test
• Tympanometry
• Middle Ear Muscle Reflex (MEMR)

5. Acquired Hearing Loss

Acquired hearing loss is when an individual experiences a partial or complete hearing loss after birth. This can result from various factors such as exposure to loud noises, infections, certain medications, head injury, or natural aging.

Causes

• Noise exposure
• Age-related hearing loss
• Head trauma
• Ototoxic medications
• Earwax blockage
• Viral and bacterial infections
• Autoimmune inner ear diseases
• Tumors
• Vascular disorders
• Neurological disorders

Symptoms

• Difficulty Understanding Speech
• Muffled Speech or Sounds
• Frequently Asking for Repetition
• Turning Up the Volume
• Difficulty Hearing High-Frequency Sounds
• Tinnitus
• Ear Pain or Pressure
• Dizziness or Balance Problems
• Social Withdrawal

Diagnosis

• Physical exam
• Screening tests
• App-based hearing tests
• Tuning fork tests
• Audiometer tests

How is cochlear implant surgery performed?

Surgery for a Cochlear implant is an outpatient procedure and lasts about two hours. Most of the time laparoscopy procedure is conducted under general anesthesia which makes the patient asleep and he/she doesn't feel any pain. During the surgery, the surgeon:

• Makes a small incision behind the ear.
• Opens the mastoid bone
• Makes a small cut in the cochlea
• Inserts the implant electrodes into the cochlea
• Places an electronic device called the receiver under the skin behind the ear
• Closes the incisions with stitches

Rare Risks after Cochlear Implantation

• Bleeding
• Facial paralysis
• Infection at the surgery site
• Device infection
• Balance problems
• Dizziness
• Taste problems
• New or worsened ear noise
• Spinal fluid leak

What are the Fastest Ways to Recover from Cochlear Implant Surgery?

• Adjustment Period: Patients may need time to adapt to the new sounds and sensations provided by the implant.
• Rehabilitation Programs: Engaging in rehabilitation programs helps patients develop effective listening skills and communication strategies.
• Regular Follow-Ups: Attending follow-up appointments and consultations with medical professionals ensures the proper functioning of the implant and addresses any concerns.
• Healthy Lifestyle: Maintaining overall health through a balanced diet and regular exercise contributes to faster healing and recovery.
• Patience and Persistence: Gradual improvement in hearing abilities requires patience and consistent effort in working with the implant.

Conclusion

It's important to understand that some conditions can cause hearing loss, such as infection, genetics, disease, illness, etc. Cochlear implants can help us hear again, but making an informed decision before getting one is crucial.

If you're concerned about your hearing, please see a doctor first. They can assess your situation and help you determine whether a cochlear implant is best for you.