Cochlear implant surgery, a remarkable medical advancement, is typically performed on individuals who have severe to profound hearing loss and derive limited benefit from traditional hearing aids. The age at which a cochlear implant is done varies and depends on several factors, including the specific needs of the patient, medical considerations, and personal preferences.
Cochlear implant surgery is often considered for children as young as 12 months old, and it can even be performed on infants as young as 6 months in certain cases. Early intervention is crucial in the realm of hearing impairment, as it significantly impacts language development and overall communication skills. For children born with congenital hearing loss, getting a cochlear implant at a young age can help bridge the gap in their auditory experiences, allowing them to develop speech and language skills more naturally.
In some instances, cochlear implantation is delayed until a child is older, typically around 2 to 5 years of age, depending on individual circumstances and the preferences of the family. The decision may be influenced by the child's overall health, anatomical considerations, and parental input. However, it's essential to remember that the sooner a child receives a cochlear implant, the better the outcomes tend to be in terms of language acquisition and social integration.
For adults and older individuals with hearing loss, there is no strict age limit for cochlear implantation. The decision is based on the extent of hearing loss, the impact on their daily life, and their motivation to improve their hearing. Cochlear implants have been successfully performed on individuals in their 70s and 80s, demonstrating that age should not be a barrier to regaining hearing and improving quality of life.
“Technology is best when it brings people together” Matt MullenwegHearing loss can be congenital or age-associated (mild, moderate & severe) having a strong impact on cognitive health.
Hearing aids are useful in mild to moderate hearing loss, but they can be of little or no use in cases of profound hearing loss, here, cochlear implants step in as the ideal choice.
However, upon conversion to digital signals, these analog sounds lose their natural texture and become harsh, and eventually leading to a comparatively unpleasant sound.
At Neubio, we understand this fundamental concept, and with our uncompromising analog signal-based audio technology, we are committed to delivering a true-to-life listening experience for every individual using our products, irrespective of their age and medical conditions.Type of stimulation: Digital Vs Analog signalBased on how the signals are received by the electrodes, and the type of stimulation, an implant can either be digital or analog.
simultaneous, non-simultaneous, or both (Composite).Waveform presentation (Analog or Pulsatile)It was observed that the cochlear implants equipped with the Analog strategy were better in terms of performance and stability (based on the 3-month evaluation to the 6-month evaluation reports) than the pulsatile ones.
Implantation carried out at the pre-lingual stage, had shown better results than when carried out at the post-lingual stage, and that to analog out-performed pulsatile at pre-lingual and post-lingual in both stages.Many other pro-Analog findings from research carried out by Stupak et al, (2018); Eddington, (1980); Shannon, et al (1981) and Battmer, (2000) support analog signals (8) for a cochlear implant.
Cochlear implants give a chance to the seriously nearly deaf or hard of hearing to see the vibe of sound by bypassing the harmed inward ear.
The two segments are coupled utilizing a ground-breaking magnet, based technology.
The transmitter at that point codes the signs and sends them to the implanted collector by means of the attractive coupling.
The internal piece of a cochlear implant incorporates a beneficiary, which is situated under the skin on the temporal bone.
These terminals specifically invigorate the sound-related nerve all through a segment of the cochlea and the brain at that point translates these signs as sound.
Numerous grown-ups with cochlear implants report that they:
At a social level, it restricts personal relationships, acts as a hindrance in proper communication, slows educational growth, and limits employment and career opportunities.
As per the data released by the world health organization (WHO) and Global Burden of Disease studies (GBD), 278 million people have a hearing loss of greater than 45 dB, and 1.57 billion people have a hearing loss of more than 20dB.
80% of these cases are from the Low and Middle-Income Countries (LMIC) or developing countries like India (1).
The situation is getting better now, as efforts at the govt level are increasing and at the community, level awareness is rising.Hearing loss in children and adults:Statistics provided by WHO indicate hearing loss has affected 34 million children and 432 million adults, as of 2020.
The hearing loss can be mild or profound Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), which is a permanent type.
Permanent hearing loss can only be treated by cochlear implants.Children need more attention:Hearing loss needs more attention in children because it can slow down the ability to learn speech, understanding language, and his/her social skills.
