To expand a bit here: Cochlear Implants are inserted into the cochlea, the curly organ in the ear that is responsible for hearing.
The other organs in the ear are the vestubular organs which give you a sense of balance.
The little wire in the implant has electrodes along it's length that shock the 'damaged' cells in the cochlea, bypassing how those cells sense sound, and just directly stimulating them.
The reason that it's a bit 'crude', is that the shocking is not specific to the nerves, it just shocks a bunch of those sensing cells. The reason for this is a bit involved and is due to the tonotopy (sound-map) of the cochlea.
The implantation is relatively simple for a trained surgeon. It can be done on small children.
The other organs in the ear are the vestubular organs which give you a sense of balance.
The little wire in the implant has electrodes along it's length that shock the 'damaged' cells in the cochlea, bypassing how those cells sense sound, and just directly stimulating them.
The reason that it's a bit 'crude', is that the shocking is not specific to the nerves, it just shocks a bunch of those sensing cells. The reason for this is a bit involved and is due to the tonotopy (sound-map) of the cochlea.
The implantation is relatively simple for a trained surgeon. It can be done on small children.
https://www.cochlear.com/us/en/home/diagnosis-and-treatment/...