Cochlear Implants. A cochlear (koe-klee-er) implant is a device that provides direct electrical stimulation to the auditory (hearing) nerve in the inner ear.
Children and adults with a severe to profound hearing loss who cannot be helped with hearing aids may be helped with cochlear implants. This type of hearing loss is sensorineural, which means there is damage to the tiny hair cells in the part of the inner ear called the cochlea. Because of this damage, sound cannot reach the auditory nerve. Cochlear Americas (Manufacturer) MED-EL (Manufacturer) Overview of Cochlear Implants. On this page: What is a cochlear implant?
Ear with cochlear implant. Credit: NIH Medical Arts.