Cochlear Implants
Cochlear Implants
Silicon Valley’s Cochlear Implant Specialists
For many with hearing loss, hearing aids are the best solution to overcoming their hearing challenges so they can continue an active and independent lifestyle. For some, hearing aids just aren’t enough, which is why hearing care professionals look to electronic implants for an alternative solution.
Cochlear implants, whether in one ear (unilateral) or both ears (bilateral), are designed to help improve hearing clarity, elevate speech, and enhance language processing capabilities in individuals of all ages, from six-month-olds to those well into their 80s and 90s.
Pacific Hearing Service, in partnership with Stanford Healthcare’s cochlear implant center, provides the Silicon Valley with cochlear implant technology as an advanced solution for improving communication and hearing clarity.
Though hearing implant technology has been around since the 1970s, most people don’t fully understand what cochlear implants are and how they help improve hearing.
What Are Cochlear Implants?
Understanding how the inner ear functions is the key to understanding what cochlear implants are and how they work.
The cochlea, located in the inner ear, has hair cells that receive sound from the outer and middle ear, change them into sound signals, and then transmit them to the brain via the auditory nerve, where they are interpreted as meaningful sound. Damage to the hair cells leads to permanent sensorineural hearing loss, which is usually addressed by hearing aids.
When the damage in the cochlea is so extensive or sound does not make it to the inner ear due to conductive hearing loss issues, a cochlear implant bypasses the damaged sound pathway to assist with the production and transmission of electrical impulses (sound signals) directly to the auditory nerve.
Cochlear implants include two components: a processor worn behind the ear that is similar in appearance to a behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aid, and an internal electrode that requires cochlear implant surgery to insert it into the cochlea. The BTE processor receives and processes the sounds around you and then transmits the sound signals to the implanted electrode, which sends the electrical impulses to the brain.
Cochlear implants were cutting-edge technology in the 1970s when they first received FDA approval, but thanks to breakthroughs in digital technology, the capabilities of today’s cochlear implants far exceed what was possible with those early devices.
Whether used in conjunction with hearing aids or as an alternative solution, cochlear implants are an advanced tool used to overcome various hearing loss challenges for children and adults that hearing aids alone cannot.
10 Facts About Cochlear Implants
#1 - Cochlear Implants Improve Sound for the Young and Old A like
It’s a common misconception that only young people benefit from cochlear implants (CIs), but there’s no upper age limit, and CIs help both children and adults. Studies even show that older hearing implant recipients have significant improvements in speech perception.
#2 - Electronic Implants Without Brain Surgery
Contrary to what many think, brain surgery is not involved in getting an electronic implant. The implant itself sits under the skin behind the ear and an electrode is inserted into the cochlea, which is in the inner ear. The surgeon doesn’t need to go near your brain at all.
#3 - Cochlear Implants and MRI Compatibility
A common misconception associated with cochlear implants is that you cannot have an MRI if you wear them, but modern multi-channel hearing implants allow for the use of diagnostic MRIs at 1.5 Tesla, while some magnet-style cochlear implants even allow for MRIs at up to 3.0 Tesla.
#4 - How Modern Cochlear Implants Safeguard Residual Hearing Abilities
Contrary to various myths about cochlear implants, CIs do not destroy whatever hearing you have left. In fact, today’s cochlear implants have soft and flexible electrodes designed to preserve delicate inner ear structures and, in combination with ever-improving surgical techniques, help maintain residual hearing.
#5 - Cochlear Implant Users Dive into Aquatic Leisure with Confidence
Those who use electronic implants can shower, enjoy a sauna or hot tub, or go swimming, as the implant itself sits under skin and is protected from water. However, the exterior processor must be removed or be covered by waterproof material before being submerged in water, as most are only splashproof.
#6 - Cochlear Implant Users Revel in Music Appreciation and Performance
Cochlear implant users are able to enjoy listening to music, and many are even talented musicians, though rehabilitation and practice are an essential part of being able to get the most out of music when using a hearing implant.
#7 - Cochlear Implant Users Safely Coexist with Wireless Technology
Also contrary to some misconceptions about cochlear implants, Wi-Fi devices don’t affect electronic implants or their audio processors, so you don’t need to worry about being near them.
#8 - Embracing the Future with Cochlear Implant Technology Advancements
The implanted electrode component of an electronic implant is designed for a long service life and usually doesn’t need to be replaced for decades. However, because digital technology is advancing at such a rapid pace, most people upgrade the external audio processor every few years in order to take advantage of the latest technology.
#9 - Effortless Air Travel for Cochlear Implant Users Amid Airport Security
Issues with flying is another common misconception associated with cochlear implants, but flying with a cochlear implant is not a problem. Alerting airport security that you wear an implant is a good idea because they can set off security scanners.
#10 - Understanding the Post-Implantation Process for Cochlear Implants
Cochlear implants aren’t an instant fix for your hearing challenges. After your CI is implanted, implant activation does not occur for a few weeks after surgery, and it will take weeks of rehabilitation and practice to learn to hear with a hearing implant.
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Get More Information About Cochlear Implants
When a hearing test shows severe to profound hearing loss and hearing aids just aren’t enough to improve hearing or assist with speech and language development, audiologists turn to electronic implants as an alternative solution for those with advanced levels of hearing loss. Our audiologists at Pacific Hearing Service in Menlo Park and Los Altos use cochlear implants as an advanced tool for helping improve the hearing and quality of life for those in Silicon Valley who qualify for them.
If you want more information about cochlear implants or whether you qualify for them, complete and submit the adjacent form and a member of our team will contact you.
Testimonials
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Proud To Care for Some of the Most Influencial People in Silicon Valley
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How past Secretary of Defense William J. Perry found Pacific Hearing Service the right experts for his needs
As a former Secretary of Defense, William J. Perry has lived a life that few could imagine. But just like millions of people across America, he’s also had to contend with a hearing loss.For over sixteen years, Pacific Hearing Service has been proud to provide William with innovative treatments and excellent care. It’s been fantastic to help him on his journey to better hearing.
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We’re proud to call Ann Hardy a patient: she’s a true Silicon Valley pioneer and a friend.
As a pioneer in computer programming, Ann joined IBM in New York in 1956. Among other projects, Ann worked on one of the first Fortran compilers, which was for STRETCH, IBM’s supercomputer of the day. STRETCH can now be seen in the Computer History Museum.
Ann’s hearing loss journey started when she visited her doctor to complain that she couldn’t hear very well. He referred her to Dr. Deborah Clark at Pacific Hearing Service.
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How Dr. Deborah Clark saved Tom from Brain Surgery
Tom went to Dr. Deborah Clark at Pacific Hearing Service for a second opinion, and his own words says, “She saved me from brain surgery.” – She advised that he may not need surgery and her help resulted in him getting the advice of a neurologist that advised that he didn’t need brain surgery.
The rest is history and Dr. Deborah has been helping Tom to achieve better hearing and continue to bring his unique and memorable personality to the world.
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‘I call them my ears’ – find out why writer and NPR commentator Debbie Duncan loves her Widex hearing aids
Like many people, writer and NPR contributor Debbie Duncan’s children were the first to notice that she had a hearing loss, a friend recommended that she talk to the experts at Pacific Hearing Service. This is where she met Dr. Clark, clinical audiologist at the Los Altos office. “She’s wonderful,” Debbie says. “She figured out that I have a weirdly shaped right ear. She made wearing hearing devices comfortable.”
// MY STORY
They are committed to getting the best results for each patient.
My first experience of a hearing challenge was when I had a sudden and profound hearing loss in my left ear. Prior to visiting Pacific Hearing Service, I didn’t have any concerns, but I was anxious to see what Dr. Baxter and her team could do for me.
My first impression was that Dr. Baxter and her team were extremely passionate about helping those who have lost their hearing and committed to getting the best results for each patient. They are also very thorough and knowledgeable.
They have improved my hearing so that I am not constantly having to say, “What did you say?” or, “Sorry, but I can’t hear you.”My overall verdict of Pacific Hearing Service is that they are excellent.
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Pacific Hearing Service has been helping Silicon Valley’s residents with expert hearing care since 1977.