Jerin Jaison

What is a Biomaterial?

A Biomaterial is a biological or synthetic substance that can be introduced into
any of the body tissue as part of an implanted medical device or used to replace an
organ, bodily function, etc.

What is Cochlear Implant?

A Cochlear Implant abbreviated as CI is a surgically implanted neuroprosthesis
that provides a person with sensorineural hearing loss a modified sense of sound.
Cochlear implants bypass damaged portions of the ear and directly stimulate the
auditory nerve. A person with a cochlear implant learns to interpret auditory
signals as sound and speech.

History of Cochlear Implant

The first cochlear implant was performed by Professor Kurt Burien in Vienna on
December 16, 1977. A few months later a 48-year-old patient denoted MC-1 in
was implanted in Melbourne in 1978. This was the start of cochlear implant.

Materials and Technology Used in Cochlear Implant

The implant has two main components. The outer component is generally worn
behind the ear. This component, the sound processor, contains microphones,
electronics that include digital signal processor (DSP) chips, battery, and a coil that
helps in transmitting a signal to the implant across the skin. The inner component,
has a coil to receive signals, electronics, and an array of electrodes which is placed
into the cochlea, which stimulate the cochlear nerve.

Manufacturers

There are three cochlear implant devices approved for use in the US were
manufactured by Cochlear Limited (Australia), Advanced Bionics and MED-EL
(Austria).

Advantages of Cochlear Implant

• Cochlear implants can improve hearing and speech perception for your
child. People with cochlear implants may still use lip reading and sign
language to enhance communication.
• Cochlear implants help improve the clarity of the child’s speech and future
development of listening and spoken language skills.
• One of the most notable benefits of a cochlear implant is the ability to hear
potential dangers or alerts such as sirens.

Future of Cochlear Implant

As of 2016, the Ear Foundation in the United Kingdom, estimates the number of
cochlear implant recipients in the world to be about 600,000. In the United States,
the overall cost of getting cochlear implants was about $100,000 as of 2017.
The NIDCD supports research to enhance the benefits of cochlear implants.
Scientists are exploring whether using a shortened electrode array, inserted into a
portion of the cochlea, for example, can help individuals whose hearing loss is
limited to the higher frequencies while preserving their hearing of lower
frequencies. Researchers also are looking at the potential benefits of pairing a
cochlear implant in one ear with either another cochlear implant or a hearing aid in
the other ear.