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When looking into options to help hearing loss, you may be considering a cochlear implant. These electronic devices were designed to help partially restore lost hearing. It's a good option for individuals who suffer from inner ear damage and can no longer benefit from the help of a hearing aid.
How Does a Cochlear Implant Work?
Cochlear implants use a sound processor that goes behind the ear. Once the device is implanted, it replaces the function of the damaged sensory hair cells inside the inner ear to help provide a more precise sound than what you would hear using a hearing aid. These implant systems have two parts: an external sound processor and the implant placed under the skin surgically, then attached to an electrode lineup set in the inner ear.
Why Cochlear Implants?
Cochlear devices can benefit those in need of a new way of hearing. Although they are sometimes considered a controversial invention, they can offer many life-changing benefits. Some advantages of cochlear devices include:
Can perceive loud, medium, and soft sounds. It has been proven that people who get cochlear devices implanted can perceive sounds they weren't able to hear before. These include footsteps, sounds of car engines, the rustling of leaves, slamming of doors, light switches being turned on and off, dogs barking, teapots whistling, and even their cell phones ringing.
Ability to make telephone calls. Individuals with inner ear damage are usually not likely to talk on the phone. However, after receiving the cochlear implant, many have reported a newfound ability to talk on the phone.
Many people can understand speech without reading lips. Even if you cannot fully understand, the cochlear implant helps improve lip-reading abilities.
Watching TV. After receiving a cochlear implant, it can be a lot easier to enjoy television, especially when the speaker's face is on the screen. Unlike music, unless it's a specific instrument such as a guitar or piano, it's a lot more enjoyable to watch your favorite shows or movies.
Deciding if cochlear implants are right for you
As you make your decision if a cochlear implant is suitable for you or your child, you must understand the risks associated with the implantation of the cochlear device. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, some risks you should be educated on include:
- Dizziness
- Numbness
- Injury to the facial nerve
- Changes in taste
- Infection
When making the choice of a cochlear implant is the right decision for you it's always recommended that you speak with a skilled ENT doctor or audiologist. Many people, both children and adults, are eligible for cochlear implants.
Typically children who have significant hearing loss in both ears, do not benefit from hearing aids, and are healthy and have no surgery compromising medical conditions are good candidates for these devices.
Adults who have severe hearing loss and have a strong desire to communicate through listening, speaking, and speech writing are also good candidates- as long as they are also healthy and have no medical conditions that would compromise the surgery.
We Can Help
If you or someone you know is suffering from a defective cochlear implant, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Before taking any legal action, it's important to consider working with an attorney. One accidental mishap could lead to delayed or minimal compensation amounts when filing claims on these devices. Here at Shoop | A Professional Law Corporation, we have the skill it takes to fight for your rights. Let us help you.
We will conduct a free medical review to determine whether or not you have grounds to go forward with a lawsuit.
Call us today at (866) 884-1717 or visit us online to fill out a form and get started with your free consultation with one of our skilled team memebers.