I'm having the appointment at the clinic next wednesday for a possible BAHA or cochlear implant.
Differences between BAHA (Bone Bridge) Coclear Implant:
How a Cochlear Implant works:
Sounds enter the cochlear implant system through small microphones on the speech processor (A) which is worn on the ear. The speech processor selects and codes the elements of sound that are most useful for understanding speech. These electronic codes are sent back through the cable to the transmitter (B).
The transmitting coil (B), sends the codes across the skin to the receiver/stimulator.
The receiver/stimulator (C) contains a custom-designed integrated circuit that converts the codes into special electronic signals and sends them along the electrode array.
The electrode array is a set of tiny electrode bands, arranged in a row inside a piece of tapered flexible silicone tubing. Each electrode has a wire connecting it to the receiver/stimulator.
The coded electronic signals are sent to specific electrodes, each of which has been separately programmed to deliver sounds that can vary in loudness and pitch. These electrodes then stimulate the appropriate hearing nerve fibres (4), which send the messages to the brain.