Cochlear implants are implantable devices designed to provide sound detection and speech recognition for people who receive little or no benefit from hearing aids.
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Cochlear Implant Basic Information - The Impaired Ear
Hearing loss can be caused by many things, including viruses and bacteria, disease processes, trauma, certain types of (ototoxic) medications, noise, and genetic factors. Hearing loss can be present at birth (congenital), or it can occur any time during life (acquired). Acquired hearing loss can develop slowly over time (progressive), or it can happen suddenly. Hearing loss can occur in one ear (unilateral) or both ears (bilateral). Bilateral hearing loss may be the same in both ears (symmetric), or the type and degree of hearing loss can differ between ears (asymmetric). Some forms of hearing loss affect only certain frequencies (pitches), and other forms of hearing loss affect all frequencies. The degree of hearing loss can range from mild to profoundly deaf.