Cochlear Implants Treatment India

Types of Cochlear Implants Treatment India

There are some types of cochlear implants that are used according to the needs of the patient and type of hearing loss. These are:

• Single-Channel Cochlear Implants
• Multi-Channel Cochlear Implants
• Hybrid Cochlear Implants
• Fully Implantable Cochlear Implants

Single-Channel Cochlear Implants

These early versions of implants have a single electrode that stimulates the nerve that sends signals of hearing. They provide a limited number of channels for sound perception, resulting in comparatively lower sound quality and speech understanding.

Multi-Channel Cochlear Implants

This is the most common type in use today. These implants have multiple electrodes that stimulate different regions of the cochlea. They offer more precise stimulation, better representation of sound frequencies, and improved speech understanding.

Hybrid Cochlear Implants

The hybrid cochlear implants function as both the cochlear implant technology and the hearing aids. Hybrid implants are for those people who can hear in the low-frequency range but have a severe hearing loss in the high range of frequency. 

Fully Implantable Cochlear Implants

These implants have all the components that can be implanted under the skin and it eliminates the need for an external speech detector. The fully implantable cochlear implants have the advantage of convenience and are also cosmetically favorable.

Procedure of Cochlear Implants

The general overview of cochlear implant procedure described below:

Candidacy Assessment: The initial step involves the evaluation by an audiologist and an ENT specialist to determine if you are the right person to go for a cochlear implant. This evaluation assesses your hearing loss, speech understanding, and overall health.

Anesthesia: anesthesia is given to reduce the irritation and pain during the procedure.

Surgical Implantation: The surgeon will make an incision behind the ear and will create a small hole in the bone and carefully insert an electrode into the cochlea. The receiver-stimulator unit, containing the electronics, will be secured in a hollow behind the ear and connected to the electrode array.

Wound Closure: After the implant placement, the incision will be closed using sutures or surgical glue, and a dressing will be applied.

Activation: Several weeks after the surgery, the cochlear implant will be activated. An audiologist will program the device to meet the specific hearing needs of the patient. It will take some time in learning to interpret the new sounds and speech patterns provided by the cochlear implant. 

Diagnosis of Cochlear Implants Treatment India

Cost of Cochlear Implants in India

The cost of Cochlear Implant in India starts from $13000. It may increase according to the condition of the patient. The patients who need bilateral cochlear implants may have even more cost. 

Minimum to Maximum Cost of Cochlear Implants in India

The minimum cost for a Cochlear Implant in India starts from approximately USD $790.
The average price of a Cochlear Implant in India is around USD $5,160.
The maximum amount to be paid for a Cochlear Implant in India can go up to approximately USD $10,480.

Cost of Cochlear Implant in major cities of India

Symptoms and Risk factors

Indications of Cochlear Implants

The conditions in which the cochlear implants may prove beneficial are:

• Severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss.
• Inadequate benefit from hearing aids.
• Non-functional or absent cochlea.
• Bilateral severe to profound hearing loss.
• Children with severe hearing loss.

Risk Factors of Cochlear Implants

There are some risks of cochlear implants which are described below:

Surgical Risks

Like any surgical procedure, cochlear implants also carry a small chance of complications such as infection, bleeding, or adverse reactions to anesthesia.

Device-related Risks

There is a possibility of complications related to the implant device itself, including device failure, displacement, or damage, which may require additional surgical procedure.

Impact on Residual Hearing

Although the surgeons always try to preserve any remaining natural hearing, there is still a risk of partial or complete hearing loss in the ear which was previously not affected.

Facial Nerve Injury

Cochlear implant procedure involves the risk of damage to the facial nerve which is present in the area around the ear. The damage to the facial nerve can lead to weakness or even paralysis of the facial muscles.

Tinnitus or Dizziness

Some individuals may suffer from the feeling of ringing in the ears or dizziness after the surgery. However, there is a possibility of disappearing these symptoms over time.

Meningitis

Meningitis is the infection of the layers around the brain. Due to close proximity, there are chances of developing infection at the surgical site first which can spread to the brain. Medications should be used to prevent this infection otherwise it can be a life threatening condition.