Cochlear Implants Effects

The ability to hear; an intrinsic capability granted to the majority of the human population. There are people, however, who are unable to hear the ripple of voices speaking through quivering lips or the sound of music resonating from an instrument. These individuals, while low in percentage, are hearing impaired, or also known as deaf. Until recently, people hard of hearing did not have a chance to restore their lost sense. However, as technology has advanced, small electronic devices called cochlear implants have been created to provide stimulation to the auditory nerve within the inner ear, thus providing people with a perception of the sense of sound. While this machinery is an innovative step towards the restoration of hearing, limitations caused by the lack of sophistication in its design and functionality has caused risks correlated with its use. With unwanted hazards associated with surgery, uncertain effects caused by the implants on everyday life, and caution stemming from the deaf community, receiving cochlear implants may provide more harm than assistance to recipients.
As with any surgical procedure, there are dangers
Contact sports, falls and slips, or car accidents are but a few ways implants can easily be damaged. Implants have been known to interact with static electricity such as television screens and computer monitors, while radio transmitters and cell phones can affect the implant’s performance. Inability to upgrade or fix implanted parts due to high cost may leave a person stuck with a broken implant, potentially hearing strange sounds caused by the broken parts. The external parts of an implant cannot get wet, and must be removed when near water and occasionally, the outer side of the implants rub against the skin, developing irritation behind the