cochlear prosthesis


co·chle·ar im·plant

an electronic device consisting of a microphone, speech processor, and electrodes that are implanted in the inner ear to stimulate the remaining nerve fibers of the auditory division of the eighth cranial nerve in adults and children with profound hearing impairment or deafness. Many recipients of cochlear implants achieve high, open-set word recognition and can understand speech even over the telephone.
See also: auditory prosthesis. Synonym(s): cochlear prosthesis