Cochlear implants are complex medical devices that work differently than hearing aids. Rather than amplifying sound—
which helps a person with residual hearing ability—a cochlear implant provides the sense of sound by stimulating the
auditory nerve directly. Cochlear implants do not cure hearing loss or restore hearing, but they do provide an opportunity
for the severely hard of hearing or deaf to perceive the sensation of sound by bypassing the damaged inner ear. Unlike
hearing aids, they require surgical implantation.
Cochlear implants do not cure hearing loss or restore hearing, but they do help people with profound or total hearing loss
to perceive the sensation of sound.
Cochlear Implant Services
NRT - Neural Response Telemetry (Intraoperative / Postoperative measurement)
The NRT provides a simple way to directly record neural responses. Information from NRT gives the audiologist or surgeon confirmation that the cochlear implant is effectively stimulating the hearing nerve fibers in the inner ear and all conveniently measured within minutes. This is non-invasive, objective, and quicker and does not require sedation or the use of external recording electrodes. NRT can be performed during the cochlear implant surgery and at the follow up appointments any time after surgery.
Switch On
Three weeks after the surgery, the audiologist will give your child the external device (speech processor and coil). It is the first mapping of the processor.
Mapping
NRT - Neural Response Telemetry Mapping is the term for programming a cochlear implant to the specifications and needs of its user. MAPs are programs that help to optimize the cochlear implant user’s access to sound by adjusting the input to the electrodes on the array that is implanted into the cochlea. While each cochlear implant company has different terminology, different programming strategies, and different capacities for various MAPs on their processors. hearing aids.
Trouble Shooting
It is not possible for parents and teachers to listen to a child’s cochlear implant as one would listen to a hearing aid; however, there are other checks of the equipment that should be completed by an audiologist.
Auditory Verbal Therapy - AVT
Auditory Verbal therapy (AVT) is an early intervention program for children using cochlear implants or hearing aids who are less than 03 years of age. The Auditory Verbal approach stimulates auditory brain development and enables children with hearing aids and cochlear implants to make sense of the spoken language around them in a natural manner.
FAQs About AVT
What is the ideal age to start AVT?
AVT should start immediately after the diagnosis of hearing loss. Cochlear implant should ideally be done before the age of 02 years but is done for as young as 06 months year old babies.
What is the objective of AVT?
AVT uses listening as the primary modality for learning spoken language. The child is trained to listen first and only then focus shifts to speaking. Therapist sits next to the child and hence, no chance is given for lip reading. Once listening improves child begins to speak naturally.
Do parents have a role in AVT?
Parents play a major role as facilitators during the therapy sessions and have to work on generalizing the listening to different sounds and people’s voices. The therapist only gives weekly sessions and parents have to continue the program in the home environment
Can AVT begin before amplification?
No, AVT starts with at least putting on a hearing aid but is most effective after the cochlear implant switch on.