A cochlear implant is a small electronic medical device that helps provide a sense of sound to people with severe to profound hearing loss who receive little or no benefit from hearing aids. Unlike hearing aids, which amplify sound, cochlear implants bypass damaged portions of the inner ear and directly stimulate the auditory nerve.
The system has two main parts: an external component worn behind the ear that captures sound and converts it into digital signals, and an internal component surgically implanted under the skin and into the cochlea. The internal device sends electrical impulses to the auditory nerve, which the brain interprets as sound. Cochlear implants do not restore normal hearing but can significantly improve the ability to perceive and understand speech, recognize environmental sounds and communicate more effectively. They are used for both children and adults to enhance hearing and support language development, social interaction and quality of life.