Electro-acoustic hearing implant

What is an electro-acoustic implant?

Electro-acoustic implant systems allow people with high frequency hearing loss to hear high frequency sounds which are so important for understanding speech and for successful communication. For people who suffer from high frequency hearing loss, hearing aids alone cannot provide good acccess to these sounds.

Who can they help?

Do you struggle to hear clearly when wearing a hearing aid? If so, you're not alone. Many people find it difficult to hear everyday sounds clearly, which can be an enormous source of frustration.

Sound familar? Consider the following:
• Does background noise interfere with what you hear… in a restaurant? at work? at family gatherings?
• Are sounds you could once hear from a distance now harder to hear?
• Do you strain to hear dialogue on TV, while others say the volume is up too loud?
• Do you find it difficult to talk on the phone?

If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, there's a good chance that you're missing out on a lot of high frequency sounds. You may have heard this referred to as 'partial deafness'. The ability to detect and appreciate these sounds is necessary for a complete hearing experience.

How do they work?

Electrical pathway		Acoustic Pathway
The external sound processor captures sound and converts it into digital signals The sound processor sends digital high frequency signals to the implant The implant converts high frequency signals into electrical energy, sending it to an electrode array inside the cochlea The nerve hearing response caused by electrical and acoustic stimulation is sent to the brain which combines them into a perceived sound		The external sound processor sends low frequency sounds to the Acoustic Component The Acoustic Component amplifies the low frequency sounds and sends them via the normal hearing pathway The amplified sounds activate the hearing nerves The nerve hearing response caused by electrical and acoustic stimulation is sent to the brain which combines them into a perceived sound

What are the benefits of electro-acoustic implants?

Based on the experience of recipients in clinical trials conducted around the world, with Cochlear's electro-acoustic implant solution, Hybrid™, you may once again:

• Hear more clearly when people talk – close by or at a distance⁵
• Remain sharp and focused – when there is noise around you⁵
• Hear dialogue on TV more easily – without playing the TV at full volume³
• Talk on the phone – and make sense of what’s being said³
• Enjoy music.

Find out more about Cochlear Electroacoustic products