The sound of music or a loving voice: The value of hearing in our lives is frequently overlooked by people who are able to hear, but for those who are deaf, the world remains silent. As a hearing person, it's easy to overlook the importance of hearing in our lives. For deaf people, the world around them remains silent. It takes a lot of effort and concentration to connect with people and the world using lip-reading or sign language.
In natural hearing, sounds travel from the outer ear to the inner ear, where the cochlea is located. The cochlea converts sound waves into nerve impulses that are processed by the brain. A person affected by sensorineural hearing loss means that the hair cells in the cochlea are damaged or missing. This can be genetic or caused by meningitis, for example.
Relatives go through an intense time at the beginning of the hearing loss diagnosis. They are usually very upset and shocked when, for example, their child fails the hearing screening. Often the situation is overwhelming and confusing, and it is difficult to figure out the next steps and make the right decisions. Parents want the best for their child. They want their child to hear them and others, to be able to communicate. For the development of hearing and understanding, it is important early on to be able to hear sounds, to learn what it is like to listen and communicate with the world around them.
If the hair cells are also not functioning properly, the remaining hearing structures in the cochlea are usually still intact and just waiting to be activated. To enable hearing in such a case, a cochlear implant uses electrical pulses that bypass the non-functioning hair cells in a person's cochlea. The signals from the implant are then converted into nerve impulses and transmitted to the brain via the auditory nerve - just like normal hearing. With a cochlear implant, it is possible for people of all ages to hear voices, communicate with friends and family, and manage everyday life.
"Our ears are as unique as our fingerprint: size and shape are different for each person. For this reason, hearing loss also presents itself slightly differently for everyone. There is no universal solution that fits all sufferers. At MED-EL, we know that. That's why we focus on customized hearing solutions that best meet the individual needs of each user," says Dr. Hohcmair, the company's founder.
Together with her husband Prof. Erwin Hochmair, Ingeborg Hochmair pioneered the development of the first modern cochlear implant. She has now been active in this field for over 45 years, and her work has enriched the lives of countless users and their families. MED-El's goal is not only to correct untreated hearing loss, but to enable people to reach their full potential in a hearing world.
MED-EL focuses on customized hearing solutions to meet the needs of each individual user. The goal is not just to correct hearing loss, but to give people the opportunity to live their lives to the fullest in a hearing world. For MED-EL employees, it is a special joy to witness the happiness and enthusiasm of people who are able to hear for the first time thanks to the company's hearing solutions. The resulting ability to hear the beauty of music and the voices of loved ones changes their lives and opens up a new world for them.
