10: Cochlear Implants

Cochlear implantation has emerged as the gold standard for severe-to-profound sensorineural hearing loss. The technological advances made in this field are continuously revolutionizing hearing rehabilitation. In this chapter, we will thoroughly discuss cochlear implantation. We will start with the pioneering discoveries that led to the cochlear implant (CI) and conclude with the current research in the field on the development of the optimal implant. We will discuss sound processing to understand the basic mechanisms of how CIs work and explain the implant characteristics and the main different types of implants available. As cochlear implantation criteria are continuously expanding, we will also focus on demographics of CIs and current implantation criteria. Pre-operative evaluation and surgical approach are also explained to give a global view of the implantation process. Finally, the post-operative stages of implantation (programming, hearing rehabilitation), which are crucial in obtaining optimal hearing outcomes, are detailed along with the outcomes of implanted patients. This chapter aims to provide a comprehensive guide to cochlear implantation.