Sometimes called a “bionic ear,” the cochlear implant can restore hearing for many kinds of hearing loss.
By BETH NJOROGE
During our tertiary and secondary education studies, we learned of the 5 senses; touch, taste, sight, smell and hearing. The older we grew, we learnt of their importance and how they affect the environment. This was a basic aspect of life. I do not recall ever interacting with students who experienced strained functionality of their 5 senses. Well, apart from sight. Did you ever envy your classmates who wore spectacles? I know I did, very much! I found them fashionable. In some instances, I borrowed a pair just to gaze at myself in the mirror and admire how gorgeous I looked.
Naliaka, a former collegemate, was one of a kind. She always sat at the front in class; though I wouldn’t describe her as a front row student. Little did I know of her strained hearing ability. Conversations with her were difficult. I found myself shouting or having to repeat several times. It was irksome. Soon, she acquired a hearing aid device that enhanced her hearing but still wasn’t as effective. I am not sure how she felt about it then, but now that I have immensely matured, I wish I had been more understanding and empathetic. Hearing loss did affect her quality of life in a big way.
Technological aid
In the recent past, new technology is working in the favour of hearing loss patients. A cochlear implant is an electronic medical device that substitutes the role of the damaged inner ear. Unlike hearing aids that make sounds louder, cochlear implants do the work of damaged parts of the inner ear (cochlea) to provide sound signals to the brain.
This device has 2 parts, the internal part termed as the cochlear implant and the external part termed as a speech processor. The speech processor uses 2 small microphones to pick up sounds into signals and send them into a transmitter. Subsequently, the transmitter then sends the signals through the skin to the internal implant. The internal implant converts the coded signals into electrical energy and sends them to the electrode array. This then stimulates the nerve fibres in the cochlea and the signals are recognised by the brain as sound.
The cochlear implant is surgically placed and brings forth many benefits. This implant is laparoscopic in nature; this means that the procedure is minimally invasive, making recovery a quick process. Unlike hearing aid that just amplifies sound, this implant improves ones hearing capabilities greatly because it substitutes the role of the inner ear (cochlea). Furthermore, a person with a cochlear implant is capable of remaining focused in a noisy environment. For instance, one can hold conversations across a table or in crowded places. Importantly, patients who couldn’t hear vehicles and alarms or when people call out before the implant surgery get a feeling of safety in the world. In this new era of advanced technology, people experiencing hearing loss may struggle handling gadgets such as phones. This implant ensures that you can comfortable hold a phone conversation. Music is universally accepted as therapeutic across the world. The ability to enjoy that is regained through a cochlear implant.
Pre-operative assessment
Acquiring an implant is highly dependent on a doctor’s referral. For one to be considered as an implant candidate, he/she must go through a pre-operative assessment, which consists of a few tests and evaluations. This assessment is multi-disciplinary hence a team of specialists are involved. This team normally comprises surgeons, ENT specialists, audiologists, speech therapists and psychologists. They test your hearing, general health and language skills, and they assess your motivation for and expectations of the implantation.
Once the assessment is done and the patient fully qualifies for the implant, surgery is done under general anaesthesia. The cochlear which is the internal part of the device is then inserted. Before surgery is completed, the implant is checked to ensure that it is functioning as it should be. Recovery is the next step. It takes 3 to 5 weeks for the patient to recover. During this time, one can comfortably take part in day today activities. Since the external part of the device is not connected, the patient will not be able to hear at this time. Once the patient has fully recovered, the speech processor which is the external part of the device is attached. The audiologist then fits settings according to the hearing needs and comfort of the patient. Every year, one visits the audiologist for fine tuning of the sound processor.
Since I learnt of this new technology, Naliaka has constantly been on my mind. We didn’t keep contact after we completed our undergraduate studies; hence I know not a thing about how well she is tackling her hearing loss. Did she get more help? Is she up to date with this new technology that can change her life? I hope she is and if not, I can only hope she gets to read this piece and learn that she can get help. The cochlear implant device is a new hope to maintain connection with humans. In the words of Helen Keller, ‘blindness cuts us off from things but hearing loss cuts us off from people’.
Beth Njoroge is an employee of Nairobi Hospital.
