Low-cost Cochlear Implants: A Boon for the Deaf

Do you know about cochlear implants? It is an electronic device that produces the sense of sound in patients suffering from profound hearing defects. It is also known as bionic ears as this device is surgically implanted in the inner part of the ears and is activated by a device that is worn outside the ears. In short the cochlear implants bypass the damaged parts of the auditory system and stimulate the nerve of hearing.

Today, the cochlear implants have become highly sophisticated because worldwide there are about 2, 00,000 users.  For example, getting this from Oticon hearing aids which has a global presence would not be feasible for all. The cochlear implant technology can help people with moderate to profound hearing problems in both the ears.

Who Can Opt for Cochlear Implant?

This technology is for people that have little or no benefit from hearing aids, score less than 50% in the sentence recognition test which are carried out by hearing professionals in the ear to be implanted. Another condition is that it is also for people that score less than 60% in sentence recognition test in non-implanted ear or in both ears with hearing aids.

According to reputed hearing aid dealers the implant has two major parts which are an internal component and an external device. The internal component comprises of a small electronic device that is worn under the skin behind the ear. The device is connected to electrodes which are inserted inside the cochlea. The external device has a speech processor, battery component and a microphone. This device is worn behind the ears.

Low-cost Cochlear Implant

Just few years back the Indian defense scientists have raised a ray of hope among millions of deaf people in the country by developing low-cost cochlear implant to enable them to hear again. A doctor from a city hospital quoted that due to the popularity of Transcanal technique for cochlear implant, deafness is soon becoming a thing of past. Since the process is minimally invasive, it is less time-consuming which reduces several complications and is available at a cost which is 80% less than conventional hearing aids in Delhi.

This low-cost cochlear implant is a boon for the deaf and for millions of people that were forced to settle down for expensive imported cochlear implants can go for this Indian make which is seven times less and pocket-friendly. Soon this indigenous and affordable cochlear implant will be available in various reputed clinics for trials.