Cochlear implant technology has come a long way in recent years and there are now many options for those who have problems with their hearing, including tinnitus sufferers. The studies which have been conducted regarding cochlear implants suggest that they can be extremely effective for those who have severe hearing loss or problems with tinnitus which can cause one to perceive deafening noises with no outside cause.
In a majority of these studies, a vast number of participants have reported a significant decrease in their tinnitus. Electrical stimulation has had great success when it comes to helping people with tinnitus to reduce the perception of certain phantom noises which can sound like anything from ringing or buzzing to whistling, depending on the individual.
Although the results from these tests are undeniable, the real reason for them is still not completely known. Some researchers believe that these results can be attributed to the electrical stimulation which comes from the electrodes which in turn reduces the severity of the tinnitus. Other researchers claim that these results come about because the tinnitus is actually being masked by the environmental sounds.
One of the major issues with cochlear implants as a treatment for tinnitus is the invasive nature of them. When one of these implants is put into a person’s inner ear, the hearing in that ear is automatically destroyed completely. The electrode array is what is responsible for destroying any of the remaining hair cells which are located in the inner ear.
Although this is viewed as a last resort for many with tinnitus, it is still an option which some people have already taken advantage of. While it may mean deafening themselves in one or both ears, it is something which some people who have severe tinnitus are willing to do in order to finally get relief from their condition.
