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Which external and internal parts make up a cochlear implant?

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A cochlear implant is an electrical device designed to assist individuals with severe hearing impairment by bypassing damaged parts of the inner ear. The system consists of two main categories of components:

External Components

  • Microphone: Positioned near the external auditory canal to detect sound.
  • Sound Processor: Organizes the sound information captured by the microphone.
  • Transmitter: An electrical coil held by a magnet that sends information to the internal receiver via electromagnetic induction or radio frequency.

Internal Components

  • Receiver/Stimulator: Surgically anchored in the temporal bone, this component receives signals from the transmitter and converts them into electrical impulses.
  • Electrode Array: A cable that relays these electrical impulses to the cochlear nerve fibers, effectively stimulating the auditory system to allow for the perception of sound.1