The KKR ENT HOSPITAL & RESEARCH INSTITUTE has been a pioneer in practicing advanced modern ear surgery. To add a feather to its cap the Institute started its Cochlear Implantation programme in the year 2001.

Post Operative photo of a Cochlear Implantee

The Cochlear Implant is an electronic device that allows deaf children and adults to hear. This year three children (under the age of 5) have received the Cochlear Implant. The Clarion II Bionic Ear Implant is the most technologically advanced electrode design available in the world. This Implant was used for one of our (Srilankan) paediatric patient and is proving to have a superior and successful outcome. The Cochlear Implantation - is a modern miracle for the profoundly deaf children and adults. Our programme has grown exponentially since its inception and stands on par with hospital overseas.

Severe to profound hearing loss interfere with a child’s ability to develop speech and language. This leads to negative social life and handicaps educational progress. Cochlear Implantation has the potential to change the way deaf people live.

Eligibility criteria for the Cochlear Implantation Programme :

Note: The deafness must be of sensorineural type affecting both the ears and the hearing aid must have been used (adults) for a period of 3 – 6 months with very little or no help.

WHAT IS A COCHLEAR IMPLANT ?

Post Operative photo of a Cochlear Implantee

It is an electronic device that allows deaf children and adults to hear. It is not a hearing aid. The hearing aid only amplifies the sound (makes sound louder) and delivers it to the ear. Unfortunately even the most powerful hearing aid cannot provide benefit for the people who are profoundly deaf.

Sensorineural hearing loss is permanent and occurs when haircells in the Cochlea are damaged or when there is a dysfunction in the neural tissue of the hearing apparatus. The Cochlear Implant sends digitally processed sound information directly to the hearing nerve and bypasses impairment or dysfunction in the auditory system.

THE PARTS OF A COCHLEAR IMPLANT AND HOW IT WORKS:

Every Implant consists of an external and an internal (implantable) part.
The external part worn by the patient and consists of :

How a Cochlear Implant works

1. Speech processor. Sound is captured by a microphone and sent to a speech processor which is kept in a pocket or worn behind the ear. (Clarion II Bionic Ear). The processor converts sound into electrical signals.
2. Cable carries the electrical signals from the microphone to the headpiece.
3. The headpiece and microphone which rests on the skin behind the ear and held magnetically to the underlying Implant.

The internal part :
1(a). The Implantable Cochlear Stimulator (ICS) is placed into the skull bone under the skin behind the ear.
1(b). The electrode which is threaded into the Cochlear is capable of stimulation of different locations of the Cochlea. (The Clarion CII Bionic Ear stimulates almost 31 different areas of the Cochlea).

High Resolution Cochlear Implant

THE COCHLEAR IMPLANTATION PROGRAMME AT KKR ENT HOSPITAL & RESEARCH INSTITUTE:
Comprises of a multidisciplinary team of professionals :

Cochlear Implant Team

The programme does not end but on the contrary begins with the surgical implantation of the device. There is an extensive period of post operative rehabilitation. This is a very crucial period where the patient, parents (of the patient), audiologist, speech therapist and our team of Junior and Senior ENT Surgeons work together in rehabilitating the hearing deprived child to sound and speech.