The cochlear implant is a device that bypasses a nonfunctional inner ear and stimulates the auditory nerve directly. Written by the "father" of the multi-electrode implant, this comprehensive text and reference gives an account of the principles underlying cochlear implants and their clinical application. For the clinician, the book will provide guidance in the treatment of patients; for the engineer and researcher it will provide the background for further research; and for the student, it will provide a through understanding of the subject.

Cochlear implants continue to change the lives of children and adults with severe or profound hearing loss. This book explains, in a simple and accessible style, the manner in which cochlear implants work, for whom they work, and the extent to which they help deaf people hear. The author tells the story of her own experience with the implant procedure, along with its advantages and benefits. Comprehensively explaining the basic concept, history, and evolution of cochlear implants, the book includes questionnaire responses, case studies, and general information--all provided by foremost clinicians in the field--that provide a full picture of how implant recipients and their families feel about the procedure.

Millions of Americans experience some degree of hearing loss. The Social Security Administration (SSA) operates programs that provide cash disability benefits to people with permanent impairments like hearing loss, if they can show that their impairments meet stringent SSA criteria and their earnings are below an SSA threshold. The National Research Council convened an expert committee at the request of the SSA to study the issues related to disability determination for people with hearing loss. This volume is the product of that study. Hearing Loss: Determining Eligibility for Social Security Benefits reviews current knowledge about hearing loss and its measurement and treatment, and provides an evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of the current processes and criteria. It recommends changes to strengthen the disability determination process and ensure its reliability and fairness. The book addresses criteria for selection of pure tone and speech tests, guidelines for test administration, testing of hearing in noise, special issues related to testing children, and the difficulty of predicting work capacity from clinical hearing test results. It should be useful to audiologists, otolaryngologists, disability advocates, and others who are concerned with people who have hearing loss.

Implantable Hearing Devices is written for ear, nose, and throat surgeons in training who must know about implantable hearing devices as they advance in otologic surgery. It is also a resource for otologic surgeons desiring to know more about the devices available. The technology is evolving rapidly along with the criteria for candidacy, and this text covers the entire spectrum of implantable hearing devices that are available, including but not limited to cochlear implants. Complex issues are presented in an easy to understand format by a host of internationally well-respected authors. Many practitioners have to refer to multiple resources for answers to their questions because the discipline is changing so rapidly. Implantable Hearing Devices is a clear, concise, but comprehensive book that offers answers to the universal problems that otologic surgeons face. Disclaimer: Please note that ancillary content (such as documents, audio, and video, etc.) may not be included as published in the original print version of this book.

Hearing Loss: Causes, Prevention, and Treatment covers hearing loss, causes and prevention, treatments, and future directions in the field, also looking at the cognitive problems that can develop. To avoid the "silent epidemic of hearing loss, it is necessary to promote early screening, use hearing protection, and change public attitudes toward noise. Successful treatments of hearing loss deal with restoring hearing sensitivity via hearing aids, including cochlear, brainstem, or midbrain implants. Both the technical aspects and effects on the quality of life of these devices are discussed. The integration of all aspects of hearing, hearing loss, prevention, and treatment make this a perfect one-volume course in audiology at the graduate student level. However, it is also a great reference for established audiologists, ear surgeons, neurologists, and pediatric and geriatric professionals. - Presents an in-depth overview of hearing loss, causes and prevention, treatments, and future directions in the field - Written for researchers and clinicians, such as auditory neuroscientists, audiologists, neurologists, speech pathologists, pediatricians, and geriatricians - Presents the benefits and problems with hearing aids and cochlear implants - Includes important quality of life issues