228 appendix b: cochlear implants and hearing
Who can be helped by a cochlear implant?
The cochlear implant is only given to children who are completely deaf
or have very little hearing even with a hearing aid. In some countries,
babies as young as 6 months can get cochlear implants. In other places
they must be 1 to 2 years old. Cochlear implants do not help people who
already have some hearing.
Effect of cochlear implant on hearing
Cochlear implants do not cure deafness. The implant’s outside
microphone and processor send signals to the implant which passes
them to the brain. The outside parts are tuned over a period of time to
meet each child’s needs.
If your child does not use the cochlear implant correctly, he will not hear
any sounds. Even when cochlear implants work well, hearing through
an implant sounds different from normal hearing. Some people say
that sounds seem flat or ‘tinny’ — they compare it to listening to a radio
station that does not come in clearly. It will take some time and practice
for children with cochlear implants to learn to understand the sounds
they hear. Children must go to classes to be trained in how to ‘hear’ with
the cochlear implant.
This child can hear
the voices of her
family members.
She has to learn the
difference between
each person’s voice.
Who’s
talking
now,
Nami?
The results of the operation, equipment, and training classes are very
different for each child. Most children who have a cochlear implant, and
who work very hard during training, will hear and understand sounds.
Some children who get cochlear implants will also learn to speak. Other
children may learn how to hear sounds and speak, but not well.
Helping Children Who Are Deaf (2004)