Cochlear Implants: History, Function & How They Restore Hearing

The bionic ear is a medical device used to help hearing-impaired patients detect voices. It uses wires implanted in the inner ear. A computer worn by the patient receives data from the wires.

History

• "Bionic ear" is another name for a cochlear implant. The cochlea is part of the inner ear. Professor Graeme Clark and his team invented the tool in the 1970s in Melbourne, Australia.

Function

• The bionic ear consists of wires and an antenna that are implanted under the skin during a surgical procedure. A microphone worn outside the body picks up the sounds of voices.

Popularity

• As of 2007, more than 20,000 people worldwide used bionic ears.

Limitations

• The bionic ear is very helpful in picking up sounds of single voices. However, when multiple people are talking, the implant can help the patient hear only one voice at a time. Other sounds that occur together, such as musical instruments, are difficult for patients to differentiate with the bionic ear.

Side Effects

• The pain involved in the surgical procedure is comparable to that of a root canal. The pain typically dissipates in about a week.