A cochlear implant is a device that produces a sense of sound in patients who have severe to profound hearing loss and who do not benefit from conventional hearing aid. Also known as bionic ears, the device is surgically implanted in the inner ear and activated by a device worn outside the ear. The device bypasses the damaged parts of auditory system and directly stimulates the nerve of hearing. This allows sound to be perceived by the person who is profoundly deaf or severely hard of hearing.
A cochlear implant has two main components:
1. An internal component consisting of a small electronic device and is worn under the skin behind the ear. The device is connected with the electrodes that are inserted inside the cochlea.
2. An external device which consists of a speech processor, microphone and battery compartment. The device is usually worn behind the ear.
The microphone collects the sound and allows the speech processor to translate it into distinct electrical signals. These signals are transmitted across the skin through radio waves to the electronic stimulator. From internal stimulator the signals reach the implanted electrodes in the cochlea. These signals stimulate the auditory nerve that sends the information to brain where they are interpreted as meaningful sound.
Usually performed under general anaesthesia, a cochlear implant surgery is done as an outpatient procedure. The surgery entails making an incision behind the ear to open mastoid bone which leads to middle ear space. Thereafter an opening is made in the cochlea and electrodes inserted. The electrode device at the base of electrode array is placed under the skin behind the ear.
A cochlear implant surgery requires a team of expert ENT surgeons, Neuropsychologist, Audiologist, Pediatrician and Speech Therapist who work in a team to improve the hearing of the patient.
The approximate cost of cochlear implants is inclusive of Pre-Surgery Tests and counseling, Cochlear Implant Surgery, Cochlear Implant Instrumentation and post-op rehabilitation. If one compares the cost of cochlear implant surgery between western countries with developing countries, one would find a huge price difference.
The cost of cochlear implant surgery at NHS is approximately £40,000 and the device itself costs approximately £18,000 thus totaling to £58,000 or approximately 90,000 USD. In India, the cost of Pre Surgery Tests —is about $1000, Cochlear implantation - $5000 US Dollars, Cost of cochlear Instrumentation - $15000 to 25000. The overall charges for cochlear implantation in India are thus much less than what one would pay in UK. Thus it is more economical to get cochlear implant surgery in India as compared to UK or USA.
In order to get cochlear implant surgery in India, one should get in touch with a medical tourism company. The company acts as a guide as to find the best doctors and hospital facility as per individual needs. IndiCure is one of the best medical tourism companies offering cochlear implant surgery in India at low cost. For more information about cochlear implant surgery in India, visit - http://indicure.com.ng/ent_surgery/cochlear%20_implant_surgery_cost_in_india.htm
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