These early implants evolved over the years to include up to 22 electrodes and now transmit much more sound information to the brain. These developments are leading to An increased number of people who can communicate more easily. Insights on how the brain hooks up hearing pathways. Methods to preserve hearing cells. Most of us interpret sound through a concert of components.
Song lyrics travel through the ear canal and vibrate the ear drum.
The cochlea contains sensory cells that have hair-like projections which move to the vibrations. This movement converts the fluid movement of the cochlea into electrical energy signals which are sent via the auditory nerve to the brain for interpretation. Implants artificially create the sound signals. A small headpiece tucked behind the ear with a microphone picks up sound and sends it to a processor that is hidden behind clothing. The processor, the size of a deck of cards, replaces the cochlea and accompanying cells by filtering, analyzing, and digitizing the sound into coded signals.