Simple Explanation:
1)
Sound waves are picked up by the microphone and are then sent to the
speech processor.
2)
The processor codes the sounds into an electrical signal which is sent
via a cable to the transmitting coil.
3)
The coil passes the signal through the skin to the implant which
transforms the signal to electrical pulses.
4)
The pulses pass from the electrode array and stimulate hearing nerve
fibres within the cochlea.
Detailed Explanation:
a)
Sounds and speech are detected by the
microphone. 
b)
The information from the microphone is sent to the speech processor.
c)
The speech processor analyses the information and converts it into an
electrical code.
d)
The coded signal travels via a cable to the transmitting coil in the
headset. Radio waves from the transmitter coil carry the coded signal
through the skin to the implant inside.
e)
The implant decodes the signal. The signal contains information that
determines how much electrical current will be sent to the different
electrodes.
f)
The appropriate amount of electrical current passes down the appropriate
lead wires to the chosen electrodes.
g)
The position of the stimulating electrodes within the cochlea will
determine the frequency or pitch of the sounds. The amount of electrical
current will determine the loudness of the sounds.
h)
Once the nerve endings in the cochlea are stimulated, the message is
sent up to the brain along the hearing nerve. The brain can then try to
interpret the stimulation as a meaningful sound.
What the Bionic Ear consists
of:
Why it allows the deaf people to hear:
The Bionic Ear allows deaf people to hear because
even in the most severely deaf person, there remains some neuronal
elements capable of being stimulated. The Bionic Ear
or Cochlea Implant replaces the cochlea and picks up the electronic
signals sent by the processor. These signals are then sent to the brain
by nerve messages from the auditory nerve.
How it is worn:
The
difference between a Hearing Aid and an Bionic Ear:
The Hearing Aid and Bionic Ear are 2 completely
different devices. The Hearing Aid only helps those who suffer from
hearing impairment. It simply amplifies the sounds picked up by the ear.
The Bionic Ear actually is a device that allows
people who are deaf to hear again.
However, the Bionic Ear is not suitable for people
who are able to use the Hearing Aid because the Hearing Aid provides a
much better sound quality.
