The cochlear implant is intended for bringing back hearing to people suffering from profound to total deafness in both ears. It is based on the principle of electric stimulation of the auditory nerve in order to compensate for the deficiency in the cochlea (inner ear).
A cochlear implant system is made up of an external part called the processor and an internal part called implant or receiver.
The processor comes in two forms. A behind the ear processor or a micro BTE. The choice is made according to indications:

  • adults and children: Digi SP
  • young children under 3: Digi SP'K.
A Sound is picked up by the microphone in the processor then it is digitalised and processed.  
B The stimulation signal is sent to the implant via the antenna through the skin. The antenna is placed on the skin and held in place next to the implanted receiver by means of a magnet.
C The implant is a small ceramic box placed surgically under the skin. It receives information from the external processor and directs it to the 20 electrodes placed in the cochlea. Each electrode corresponds to a sound frequency band.
D
The endings of the auditory nerve in contact with the electrodes transmit pulses to the brain where they are interpreted as sounds.