What exactly is a Cochlear Implant? And how does it work?

Here is a brief overview of how the cochlear implant device works.  A cochlear implant is a surgically implanted electronic device that provides a sense of sound to a person who is profoundly deaf.  
Click on the link below for a short video to help understand how this amazing technology will help Sean to hear! 

How does a Cochlear Implant work? 

How Hearing with a Cochlear Implant System Works:

A cochlear implant system consists of two main components:

The internal component is the actual implant, which delivers sound to the hearing nerve.  Here is a picture of what one of Sean's implants looks like.  He has one implanted behind each ear.

The external component, which consists of a sound processor (worn on outer ear) and a magnetic headpiece (worn on the head). 

We are thankful for the "added piece of mind" that will be a part of Sean's device:

 "The remote assistant gives you confidence knowing that your child is hearing their best. You will be able to wirelessly monitor and manage your child’s hearing. Whether your child is watching TV with their friends, or playing in the backyard, you have complete confidence at your fingertips."

The diagram below illustrates how a cochlear implant works by bypassing the "damaged part" of the ear:

- Sound is captured by a microphone on the sound processor.
- The sound processor converts the captured sound into detailed digital information.
- The magnetic headpiece transmits the digital signals to the internal implant under the skin.
- The implant turns the received digital information into electrical information that travels down the electrode array to the auditory nerve.
- The auditory nerve sends impulses to the brain, where they are interpreted as sound.

Only 2 weeks until Sean's new ears are turned on for the very first time!