Restoring hearing loss with cochlear implants
KUALA LUMPUR: Cochlear implants can transform the world of sound from a distant dream into a vibrant reality for adults and children with hearing loss.
Sunway Medical Centre Otorhinolaryngology (ENT), Otology, Neurotology, Head and Neck and Skull Base Surgery Consultant Dr Shailendra Sivalingam said cochlear implants consist of an internal device with electrodes implanted into the cochlea and an external device that captures the sound and transmits it to the implant.
“It bypasses the damaged cochlear, transforming sound energy into electrical signals that stimulate the auditory nerve and enable individuals to perceive sound,” he said in a statement.
According to Dr Shailendra, cochlear implants especially in infancy or early childhood have the most benefit to children with hearing loss.
He said research shows that cochlear implementation before age five can profoundly impact a child’s auditory development and provide lifelong advantages for children with hearing loss.
He added that early implantation is vital as the child’s auditory development where the ability to learn and comprehend speech rapidly diminishes after ages four to five.
“So, having the cochlear implant before five years of age enables them to achieve educational and social milestones that are on par with their hearing peers,” he said.
Dr Shailendra also highlights that once the patient is approved for surgery, they will undergo a surgical procedure to implant a cochlear implant under general anaesthesia which involves placing an internal electrode array into the cochlea.
He said after the surgery, the patient will then begin mapping with an audiologist and during the six to eight-month mapping process, the therapist will adjust the settings on the cochlear implant to optimise the patient’s hearing and speech.
“For kids, this regular mapping process ensures that the child’s hearing and speech capabilities continue to improve over time, especially as they grow,” he further said.
He said coping with hearing loss can be emotionally overwhelming for both parents and children with hearing loss.
“The earlier hearing loss is treated, the better the results. For parents, hearing that their child needs a cochlear implant or has profound hearing loss can be a shock. Very often, denial and fear grip parents and this may delay vital intervention.
“In some cases, with children - by the time they return to us, the child’s window to have a successful cochlear implantation may have closed,” said Dr Shailendra.
He said support groups and personal testimonials can be a lifeline for parents and children adjusting to cochlear implants as they offer emotional support, practical guidance and shared experiences that can help families cope with the challenges of adjusting to a new way of life. Hearing firsthand from people who have successfully adjusted to cochlear implants can give families hope, inspiration and offer much-needed emotional support, especially knowing others have been in the same situation, he added.