Cochlear implants can change the lives of adults and children who have a severe to profound hearing loss. Hearing aids simply amplify sound. Cochlear implants do more than just amplify sound; they directly stimulate the auditory nerve to help the patient experience sound in a clearer manner. The surgery is just the start of the journey, and although significant, they are just beginning to move through the cochlear implant journey at the “switch-on” stage. Understanding what happens to the audiology patients and their families during the switch-on stage can assist in managing their expectations. In this article, we will discuss in detail the switch-on experience after a Cochlear Implant Surgery Near Me.
What Does the Switch-On Stage Involve?
The switch-on stage generally occurs anywhere between 2-4 weeks of cochlear implant surgery, and the timing of the switch-on is generally determined by the healing of the surgical site. During the switch-on session, the audiologist activates the external processor and performs the first programming of the implant. This is the first time the patient will be able to use their implant to “hear” auditory signals. This is an extremely important emotional and landmark moment.
What Happens at Switch-On?
Patients are typically under the impression that they will hear clear, natural sounds right away after Affordable Cochlear Implant Surgery; however, this is not the case. The sounds will initially seem strange, robotic, high-pitched, distorted, or just plain strange, since the brain needs some time to learn how to interpret aural sounds again after so much time of interpreting electrical signals as sound instead of the real thing. The audiologist will adjust the implant settings in a process called mapping. Mapping ensures that the patient receives safe and comfortable sound levels. Over time, after multiple mapping sessions and auditory training, the quality of sound improves greatly.
The Emotional Impact
The switch-on is an experience with a lot of emotions for patients and their families. Some patients may laugh or cry, or feel overwhelmed that, after many years of silence, they’ve heard sounds. For children implanted very early in life, parents often see the joy of their child responding to voices or everyday noises for the very first time. The hearing may not be perfect, but the emotional experience is priceless.
With time and consistent rehabilitation, the majority of patients perform remarkably well with their hearing ability. They are able to converse, listen to music, recognize voices, and re-immerse themselves in their world. Although progress varies from individual to individual, with technology and therapy combined, the patients are offered a new quality of life that was previously seen as impossible.
Sohana Hospital Mohali is considered one of the Best Cochlear Implant Hospital in India with the World’s Most Advanced technology, and North India’s Best Doctor for Cochlear Implant Surgery. Book your appointment today and make sure that your loved ones get to listen to the melodies of life, just like everyone else!