Pros and Cons of Cochlear Implants

Cochlear implants are electronic hearing devices surgically implanted under the skin in the inner ear. They are aimed to restore some levels of hearing for deaf people or those with limited hearing. A cochlear implant consists of two parts: the electrode system or a receiver implanted under the skin, and a transmitter or microphone that picks up sounds from the external environment and is worn directly behind the ear. A cochlear implant replaces the function of hair cells. In order to transmit sound waves, cochlear implants stimulate the auditory nerve directly, in contrast to a hearing aid that amplifies sounds. Cochlear implants allow improving hearing capabilities. However, many people, who are deaf, state that using them has more cons than pros. Thus, the issue of using cochlear implants remains controversial and should be studied in detail.

Similar to any surgical procedure, there are pros and cons of using cochlear implants. Firstly, the latter can help significantly increase hearing capabilities (“11 Predominant Pros and Cons”). Secondly, cochlear implants provide increased opportunities in the workplace and education. For example, they can enable a deaf child to stay in a traditional school. That is why children usually get more benefits from using cochlear implants. Thirdly, they improve speech skills and remove the need for lip reading or sign language. Finally, cochlear implants increase safety. People with implants can hear more than if they did not have them. Therefore, it lessens the likelihood of an injury. For example, a person becomes able to hear external warnings like an ambulance siren. Thus, cochlear implants allow improving hearing capabilities.

Except pros, there are also a number of cons of using cochlear implants. Firstly, they do not give any guarantee that hearing will improve. They can damage it further since the body can reject the implant. Moreover, there is a huge difference between a natural sound and the one transmitted through cochlear implants. In the second case, environmental noise or voice will be distorted and different from a sound heard through normal hearing. In addition, cochlear implants can cause constant ringing in the ears. Secondly, their cost is very high (“List of Pros and Cons”). They may not be covered by insurance. Thirdly, cochlear implants increase the likelihood of bacterial meningitis since there is a higher incidence of this disease among those people who have implanted them (“List of Pros and Cons”). Fourthly, they can cause partial facial paralysis, numbness muscle spasms, irritation of the skin around the implant, loss of taste or permanent damage to the auditory or facial nerve. Fifthly, people with cochlear implants should avoid water activities and high-contact sports since these can damage them. Sixthly, cochlear implants require expensive maintenance (fixing the processor and changing the battery). Seventhly, when interfered with other electronics, cochlear implants may cause static. Eighthly, as with any medical procedure, there is a risk associated with the surgery. Finally, they are not suitable for those people who have brain diseases since they require frequent brain scans. Thus, cochlear implants do not provide any guarantee that hearing will improve; however, they have a great number of drawbacks such as possible health issues, high cost, and expensive maintenance.

To summarize, cochlear implants are electronic hearing devices that allow improving hearing capabilities. They are surgically implanted under the skin in the inner ear. Considering the benefits and drawbacks of using cochlear implants, it is clearly that there are more cons than pros. Devices are expensive and dangerous. The body can reject implants, or they can cause permanent damage to the auditory nerve. Therefore, the decision to get them should not be made in a rush since a person should carefully consider all possible health issues and long-term effects since the risks associated with cochlear implants are too high.