How cochlear implants work

A cochlear implant uses a sound processor that's worn behind the ear. A transmitter sends sound signals to a receiver and stimulator implanted under the skin. They stimulate the auditory nerve with electrodes that have been threaded into the cochlea. Some types of cochlear implants have one outside unit that has a speech processor, microphone and transmitter combined (lower left). Others have these as separate outside parts (upper left and on right).