Cochlear Benefits and Risks.

A cochlear implant is a surgically implanted device which enables deaf people to hear.  The device works by stimulating nerves inside the deaf persons inner ear.

Cochlear implant devices that are available now have a magnet that holds the cochlear on your head, and are more effective than hearing aides.

What are the risks?

The risks are as follows:

• Injury to the patients facial nerve, which goes through their middle ear.  Damaging this nerve can result in paralysis to half of the face.
• Cerebrospinal fluid leakage.  A persons brain is surrounded by fluid that may leak during the procedure, leaving you more vulnerable to concussions and brain damage.
• Taste is changed.  A nerve that provides a person with 'taste' goes from the fiddle ear to the tongue.
• Tinnitus.
• Dizziness.
• An infection around the wound.
• Fluid collection (including blood) around the surgery area.
•  MRI scans may demagnetize the magnet.

Lifestyle Changes.
A person with a cochlear implant might have to change their lifestyle.  A person's implant might

•  Set off theft alarms.
• Set off metal detectors at airports.
• Be affected by mobile phones.
• Interact with computer systems in unpredictable ways.
• Have to be turned off on airplanes during take off and landing.

Benefits of using a cochlear implant:

• Assists deaf people with lip reading.
• Many cochlears can be used as mobile phones; they can call.
• Can watch TV without subtitles.
• Enjoy music and various other art.