Hearing implants are medical devices that help people with hearing loss to hear better. They work by sending sound waves directly into the ear, bypassing the damaged outer ear. This can help people to hear sounds that are difficult or impossible to hear before, such as speech in noisy environments or emergency alarms.
There are two main types of hearing implants: cochlear implants and auditory brainstem stimulators (ABMs). Cochlear implants send electrical signals directly into the inner ear, while ABMs send pulses of electrical energy through a thin wire loop placed on top of the head near the ears. Both types of implant work best when they're paired with a hearing aid or other device that amplifies sound so it can be heard clearly.