MALNAD COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING HASSAN [An Autonomous
Institution under VTU, Belagavi] Hassan, Karnataka 573202, India
Subject:BIOLOGY FOR ENGINEERS
Course code: 23CS408
“Cochlear Implants”
PRESENTED BY : SUBMITTED TO :
PRASHANTH U –4MC23CS119 Mrs. H M CHANDANA
PREMSAGAR G –4MC23CS124 Assistant Professor
PRAJWAL A S –4MC23CS117
POORVIK GOWDA KP –4MC23CS114
Department of Computer Science and Engineering
Cochlear Implants Overview
Cochlear implants are sophisticated medical devices
designed to restore hearing for individuals with severe
hearing loss. They bypass damaged portions of the ear and
directly stimulate the auditory nerve, allowing users to
interpret sounds.
What Are Cochlear Implants?
Definition
Electronic devices for profound hearing loss
Components
External and internal parts function together
How They Work
Capture and process sounds directly to the auditory nerve
Components
External Components (Outside the Body)
1. Microphone
2. Speech Processor
3. Transmitter Coil (External Coil)
4. Battery
Internal Components (Implanted)
1. Receiver-Stimulator
2. Electrode Array
Cochlear implant working and mechanism
1. Sound Detection
• The microphone picks up sounds from surroundings.
2. Signal Processing
• The speech processor turns these sounds into digital signals.
3. Signal Transmission
• The external transmitter sends the digital signals to the
implanted receiver via radio waves (no wires needed).
4. Electrical Stimulation
• The internal receiver-stimulator converts the signals into electrical impulses.
5. Auditory Nerve Activation
• The electrode array in the cochlea sends the impulses directly to the auditory nerve, bypassing
damaged hair cells.
6. Brain Perception
• The brain receives these nerve signals and interprets them as sound.
The Surgical Procedure
1 2 3
Pre-operative Evaluation Surgery Recovery
The surgical procedure typically lasts a
Candidates undergo a comprehensive Most patients experience a quick
few hours with an incision behind the
assessment, including medical imaging recovery, returning home the same day.
ear.
and audiometric testing.
Key Programs and Algorithms Powering Cochlear Implants
// Constants
#define NUM_CHANNELS 22 // Number of electrodes in the cochlea
#define SAMPLE_RATE 16000 // Samples per second
#define FRAME_SIZE 256 // Number of samples per frame
// Input: raw audio samples from microphone
int audio_input[FRAME_SIZE];
// Output: stimulation levels for electrodes
int electrode_stimulation[NUM_CHANNELS];
// Main sound processing function
void process_audio(int audio_input[]) {
// Step 1: Band-pass filter - divide sound into frequency bands
float frequency_bands[NUM_CHANNELS];
for (int i = 0; i < NUM_CHANNELS; i++) {
frequency_bands[i] = bandpass_filter(audio_input, i);
}
}
// Step 2: Envelope detection - get energy of each band
float energy_levels[NUM_CHANNELS];
for (int i = 0; i < NUM_CHANNELS; i++) {
energy_levels[i] = detect_envelope(frequency_bands[i]);
}
// Step 3: Map energy levels to electrical pulse strengths
for (int i = 0; i < NUM_CHANNELS; i++) {
electrode_stimulation[i] = map_to_pulse_strength(energy_levels[i]);
}
// Step 4: Stimulate corresponding electrodes
stimulate_electrodes(electrode_stimulation);
}
Activation and Rehabilitation Process
1 2 3
Initial Activation Auditory Training Ongoing Support
Continuous support ensures effective
The external components are activated Individuals learn to interpret sounds, as
adjustment to the device.
about three to four weeks after surgery. perception differs from natural hearing.
Risks and Considerations
Understanding the potential risks and considerations associated with surgical procedures and device usage is crucial for patients and
healthcare providers. This awareness helps in effective management and improved outcomes.
Surgical Risks Device Limitations Device Maintenance
Risks include infection, bleeding, or
Users may require time to adjust, and Regular maintenance and battery
adverse reactions to anesthesia, though
not all sounds may be perceived changes are essential to ensure the
complications are rare.
naturally. Ongoing support is necessary device functions properly, and users
for maximizing outcomes. must adhere to scheduled follow-ups.
Future Developments in Cochlear Implant Technology
2 Research
Ongoing studies focus on refining devices
and eligibility.
Advancements in Technology 1
Continuous developments aim to
enhance sound quality. User Experience
3
Innovations improve outcomes through
software upgrades.
Conclusion:
Cochlear implants provide significant benefits to individuals with hearing loss, improving their
quality of life through enhanced auditory perception. Understanding the surgical procedure,
post-implantation care, and maintenance is critical for achieving successful outcomes.
References
Primary Source
• Cochlear implants: system design, integration, and evaluation Fan-Gang Zeng, Stephen Rebscher,
William Harrison, Xiaoan Sun, Haihong Feng IEEE reviews in biomedical engineering 1, 115-142,
2008
Key Source
• Introduction to cochlear implants: Philipos C Loizou IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology
Magazine 18 (1), 32-42, 1999
• Cochlear implants: William F House Annals of Otology, Rhinology & Laryngology 85
(3_suppl), 3-3, 1976
• Cochlear implantation: an overview Nicholas L Deep, Eric M Dowling, Daniel Jethanamest,
Matthew L Carlson Journal of Neurological Surgery Part B: Skull Base 80 (02), 169-177, 2019
Thank you
