Cochlear Implant Observation Paper

Growing up I never dreamed of one day becoming an audiologist. In fact, until recent years I knew very little about the field of audiology. During my sophomore year at LSU, I enrolled in an anatomy and physiology course that properly introduced me to the human ear. I became fascinated with the intricate structures of the ear and the science behind audition. The more I learn about the field of audiology, the more captivated I become. The human body is extraordinary and the field of audiology seamlessly blends both science and art. During my last semester of college, I gained firsthand experience with the profession through an undergraduate hearing clinic. This clinical experience provided me with direct exposure to audiologic assessments and

Watching my friends’ face quiver in disgust after recounting my experience of a videofluoroscopicy and my excitement from viewing the barium travel through the oropharyngeal and pharyngeal phases of swallowing, I realized I wanted to study the extraordinary field of Communication Sciences and Disorders. During my undergraduate career at East Carolina University, my anatomy and physiology class further fostered my enthusiasm for the field when discovering how intricate and complex it is for the human body to perform a simple task such as breathing and swallowing. I was able to utilize my thirst for knowledge of the human anatomy working in Dr. Perry’s Speech Imaging and Visualization Laboratory and enhance my writing skills by reviewing peer reviewed journal articles. Ultimately working and observing lab assistants create 3D anatomical models of the laryngeal mechanism, velopharyngeal mechanism, swallowing mechanism, skull and cranium,

The hearing tests with the tuning fork demonstrated a form of conductive hearing loss. Conductive hearing loss is seen in people with cerumen impaction, middle ear effusions, cholesteatomas and otoslcerosis. However, inspection of the external ear canal and middle ear revealed cleared tympanic membranes. Upon a further audiometric work, up, a carhart notch was noted which is consistent with otoslcerosis.

On Thursday, December 3rd, 2015 at 2:00 PM I observed an hour and forty five minute secession at East Stroudsburg’s Speech and Hearing Center. East Stroudsburg’s Speech and Hearing Center is located on campus, in the town of East Stroudsburg PA, on the second floor of Monroe (building). The clinic at ESU was very clean and organized. It had multiple therapy and diagnostic rooms that were set up nicely and welcoming for a client. The types of population seen at the ESU’s clinic range from any age for speech therapy or audiological visits. The clinical audiologist I observed was Susan Dillmuth- Miller Au.D., CCC-A, FAAA..

The article “Best of H+: Cochlear Implants and the Deaf culture: A Transhumanist Perspective” by Shaikat Hossain, is a doctoral student in the cognition and neuroscience at the University of Texas, discusses the social issues of cochlear implants. In the article Hossain aims to enlighten the readers with the “ethical, social and philosophical issues”(Hos. 1) concerning the Deaf community and the people who supports cochlear implants. The author that wrote the article is mainly targeting readers that has minor or no intellect revolving around the history of cochlear implants and the development of people receiving cochlear implants because people are mostly obviously to see the struggle of the deaf community’s extinction. The article primarily displays the logical appeals, use reason to make an argument with evidence and data. Hossain used multiple ways to mold the reader to persuade the readers to continue reading the article, some of these techniques are using factual data to insure the reader that it’s accurate information coming from a reliable source such as in the article “(Osberger et al., 2000; Garnham et al, 2002; Skinner et al., 1994…).”(Hos. 2) The author is achieving its goal to grab the readers attention by addressing the appositional views, the attitude that was provided in article while having the logical appeals shown.

Characteristics of a successful audiologist include the ability to empathize with their patients, and to convey the appropriate amount of information pertaining to the diagnosis and treatment. In re-examining my role as a clinician, I now have a better understanding on how to break down the information regarding CIs to educate my patients. Even specialists in hearing impairment such as audiologists may be unaware of the CI candidacy criteria, typical outcomes, and are uncomfortable about making the appropriate referrals. Consequently, the lack of knowledge and experience may lead to hesitancy to encourage patients to pursue a CI. To my surprise, the time length of the surgery and the rehabilitation period required for optimal use of the implant quicker than I expected. I learned that the surgery is typically completed in 2-2.5 hrs. Also, patients are discharged from the hospital the same day and seen for postoperative follow up in a week to two weeks. Activation of the implant takes place 2 to 4 weeks after surgery, allowing time for the skin to heal. After observing this surgical procedure, I now have a greater appreciation for the accuracy and precision that is required to perform a cochlear implantation. To conclude, this opportunity was a wonderful experience and the knowledge I obtained from this class will aid in my development as a future

For Kelly’s surgery doctors decided to permanently implant electrodes into her ear, by attaching an electrode array into the inner ear (cochlea) and a receiver which is placed behind the ear. By doing this each device will be connected to a magnet and an antenna making sound signals channel through her brain. Overall Kelly’s surgery is successful and with speech therapy Kelly is able to talk and hear noises that she was not really able to before.

I first learned about cochlear implants in my special education class. My initial thought was that they were a beneficial advancement in technology and in the medical field for those who were deaf or hard of hearing. In my field experience, I observed a sixth grade teacher at Donnell Middle School. In her class, I observed two students who had cochlear implants and an interpreter who was in front of the classroom signing what the teacher was saying. I thought that was really neat to see and experience for the first time. Through further research on cochlear implants, I came to the conclusion that cochlear implants do not fix the patient’s hearing entirely and that there are many positive and negative factors to consider when getting a cochlear implant.

Our New Ears are a group of parents of children with cochlear implants who provide information and support.

According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, “About 2 to 3 out of every 1,000 children in the United States are born with a detectable level of hearing loss in one or both ears.” Cochlear Implants are mechanical devices that are highly promoted by the hearing society to “cure” deafness. Despite the fact Cochlear Implants can be effective, the risk of serious physical and emotional harm to a patient outweighs the chances of its success.

A myringotomy with tubes is a surgical procedure to drain fluid from the eardrum and place a tube (pressure equalization tube) in the ear. In this procedure, a small hole is made in the eardrum. The fluid is drained. Then the pressure equalization tube is placed. This allows air to flow (ventilation) into the middle ear space. The tube can keep the hole in the eardrum open for several months. This gives the child's ear condition time to heal and helps prevent more ear infections. The procedure usually is done in both ears.

Thus began her medical journey of visiting doctors and seeing specialists. As Rachel’s symptoms continued and worsened and she became disillusioned and discouraged that that the medical community could not resolve her issues. The continued misdiagnoses made Rachel begin to believe she might actually be mentally disturbed and that her debilitating illness was all psychosomatic. Finally, in 2010, Dr. Zee, a professor specializing in vertigo at John Hopkins University, was able to properly diagnosis Rachel’s symptoms. After intently watching Rachel’s reaction when she stuck her finger in her ear and conducting a series of tests, Dr. Zee was able to conclude that Rachel Miller was suffering from a rare condition called Superior Canal Dehiscence Syndrome, or SCDS. This syndrome is caused by a rare mutation of the COCH gene, a gene in the inner ear. The COCH gene is responsible for making a protein called cochlin that helps shape the cochlea system or bone structure within the ear. Everyone is born with a cochlea system, dividing the ear canal from the brain. With SCDS the bone becomes thinner and this weakness in the bone creates issues with balance and hearing and

Here are some important and basic things to know about cochlear implants, hearing aids, and assistive hearing devices. A cochlear implant is a surgically implanted electronic device that provides a sense of sound to a person who is profoundly deaf or severely hard of hearing in both ears. The implant generates signals that it sends to the auditory nerve, which then passes it onto the brain where they are recognized as sounds. A cochlear implant does not cure deafness or hearing impairment, but it’s a prosthetic substitute which directly stimulates the cochlea. A cochlea is the sense organ that translates sound into nerve impulses to be sent to the brain. Each person has two cochlea, one for each ear. The cochlea is a fluid-filled, snail shaped

The medical profession is often times lumped into the thought that “a doctor is a doctor”. Many people fail to explore more into the specialized fields of medicine. There are 25 plus specialized fields and within those fields there are many subspecialties (“Specialties and Subspecialties”). All of these positions make up what is far too often generalized as the “medical field”. This paper is going to focus in on one specialty in particular; otolaryngology, often referred to as “ear, nose, and throat” or ENT for short. Throughout this paper it’ll explore what being an ENT is and what the job entails, what it takes to become an ENT, and the different subspecialties that fall into the otolaryngology category.

Since ear surgery usually progresses from lateral to medial, sagittal 2 and 3DRIs from lateral to medial simulate ear surgery including canal wall down mastoidectomy.