Cochlear Implant Essay

Submitted By Aidan-O'Connor
Words: 860
Pages: 4
Open Document
Bionic ear

A bionic ear is also known as a cochlear implant. It was made in Australia. It helps people that can’t hear very well to hear, it also helps deaf people to hear. The bad thing though is it costs a lot of money. The bionic ear replaces the natural cochlea. It is surgically implanted in the ear and is attached on the head. They are not only for adults but also some children have them as well. There are over 150,000 users of the bionic ear in about 100 countries. A bionic ear is not the same as a hearing aide. 90 precent of people go on to live a normal life after receiving the cochlear implant (Hilly 2013). Some of the implants are irreversible. But almost all of the rest have been successful, the first person to get an implant was Rod Saunders, and it was successful.

How it works
Sound is received by a microphone and is passed though the bionic ear (which is replacing the cochlear) and then onto the brain. But first the bionic ear must determine how the electrodes should be processed and activated. It is the electrode array that does this; it is made from a rubbery substance. A filter bank then divides the signal into different frequency bands. Then the transmitter transmits sound over a radio frequency. A radio frequency is used so that no physical connection is needed in the ear. This reduces a lot of pain in the ear, and the chance of infection. The speech processors are the components of the cochlea implant. There are currently 2 types of speech processors, and the most commonly used is the behind the ear (BTE). This is a small processor worn behind the ear; this type is used by adults and older children/teens. The other is called the baby behind the ear (BBTE). This is worn by babies and young children. There are 2 parts of the bionic ear, one is under the skin and can’t be seen, and is used to control the flow of electricity into the ear. The other is worn on the head and can be seen. This has the microphone to pick up the sound; it also has the speech processor.

Who created it?
The bionic ear was invented by Australian Professor Graeme Clark in the year 1978. He had help from a Melbourne team from Melbourne University. Professor Graeme Clark was born in the year 1935 and graduated from Sydney University in 1947. Dr Clark was inspired to make the bionic ear by his deaf father. He started conducting experiments in his garden shed at the age of 9. One day he was at the beach with his family and he picked up a shell and stuck a piece of grass in it and that helped him to make the prototype 31 years later. The other people on the team were Joe Tong, Bruce Millar, Jim Patrick, and Ian Forster.

Its limitations
The limits of the cochlea implant are that they can help partly deaf but not completely deaf people there is currently no way for them to hear at all. The question that everyone is asked is “can you hear me”, this is asked to make sure that the bionic ear installed properly (there are a few that haven’t been installed properly).
Show More

Related Documents: Cochlear Implant Essay

Cochlear Implants Essay

Cochlear Implants For people who are severely hard of hearing or deaf, cochlear implants offer an alternative option to hearing. A cochlear implant is a small electronic device that makes it possible for an individual who cannot hear to regain the ability to hear. For some people, a cochlear implant has proven to be a solution for their lack of ability to hear, giving them new opportunities in life. In the Deaf community, cochlear implants pose a controversial viewpoint and many Deaf individuals…

Words 1364 - Pages 6

Cochlear Implants Misconceptions

experienced by Deaf Individuals. They are often forced to wear hearing aids, undergo cochlear implants, and attend speech therapy under the belief that these practices will cure their deafness. In today's newsletter, we aim to address the misconception that cochlear implants serve as a cure for deafness and highlight why this belief is misguided. Let’s begin by clarifying what a cochlear implant entails: A cochlear implant is an electronic device surgically implanted into individuals who are profoundly…

Words 859 - Pages 4

What Is The Cochlear Implant?

film released in the year 2000 , two beautiful American families with young Deaf children struggle with the decision to give their children implants, surgically implanted devices that may develop their ability to hear but may threaten their deaf style. First of all, the cochlear implant is a surgically implanted device. The difference between an implant and a hearing aid is that the hearing aid will amplify the sound that your particular ear is already capable of hearing. So if you’re only hearing…

Words 1408 - Pages 6

Research Paper On Cochlear Implant

it?” The doctor suggested that I get my child fitted for a cochlear implant. That sounds easy enough but then the questions, what is it? How does it work? What are the benefits and will it hurt my child? All started coming to mind. I had to do some research before I could make a decision. I found out as I began my research that I needed to understand the ear and how it works before I could understand the benefits of a cochlear implant.…

Words 1102 - Pages 5

Cochlear Implants Research Paper

heard of hearing children is almost always cochlear implants (1). Cochlear implants promise the correction of a disability meaning that children wouldn’t have to suffer a life of obstacles in communication, employment or entertainment (1, 2). Despite initial exploration of cochlear implants for their child, in many cases both deaf and hearing parents, ultimately decide against accessing this technology. The numerous medical risks associated with cochlear implantation do not justify the unpredictable…

Words 1873 - Pages 8

The Pros And Cons Of Cochlear Implants

idea of cochlear implants began in the 18th century. A scientist named Alessandro Volta was the first to provoke the hearing system. He connected a fifty volt battery to two metal rods and he put the rods in his ears. When they were connected he felt something in his head akin to a boom and immediately after he said he heard a sound like boiling soup. People tried to investigate this phenomenon for the next…

Words 2427 - Pages 10

Cochlear Implants Pros And Cons Essay

Cochlear Implants Pros and Cons Some people suffer hearing loss at birth, while others over the course of their life after being subjected to disease, loud noise or physical injury that result to ear damage and hearing loss. It can be debilitating to lose one's hearing. Cochlear implants are electronic medical devices for solving hearing loss, but it is not a perfect solution. Here are reasons why and why not cochlear implants are beneficial. List of Pros of Cochlear Implants 1. Improves Hearing…

Words 503 - Pages 3

The Cochlear Implant In Sarah Novic's True Biz

First, in True Biz, by Sarah Novic, the cochlear implant scenario shows the publics chock hold on the deaf community is so strong, that even people with good intentions (your parents) can be convinced that it is important to perpetuate the idea that “different” people must adapt to the established norm. From the beginning, Sarah Novic establishes the cochlear implant, a hyperbolic example of adapting, as a pain in the arm and perhaps danger to Charlie. Yet, Charlie and her parents are in denial,…

Words 375 - Pages 2

Essay on How Is Cochlear Implant Technology Changing To Help The Hearing Of Deaf People

How is cochlear implant technology changing to help the hearing of deaf people? The cochlear implant is a small device that can bring hearing to a person who is profoundly deaf or is hard of hearing. “A cochlear implant is an electronic medical device that replaces the function of the damaged inner ear. Unlike hearing aids, which make sounds louder, cochlear implants bypass the damaged hair cells of the inner ear (cochlea) to provide sound signals to the brain.” (Cochlear) The cochlear implant was…

Words 2425 - Pages 10

Science Gave My Son The Gift Of Sound Analysis

aid or cochlear implant solves all problems of a deaf person but it does not. In the article “Science Gave My Son the Gift of Sound” by Lydia Denworth. Denworth main idea is that she thinks that the cochlear implant works for some deaf or hard of hearing people. Denworth also gives her personal account of being a parent of deaf child. The issue of this article is the matter of whether to give cochlear implant or to have the child grow up deaf or hard of hearing. The two views of the cochlear implants…

Words 1218 - Pages 5