Chochlear Implants

In class we learned that the ear catches sounds then converts the sounds into nerve impulses that travel to the brain.  We also learned that the cochlea is in the inner part of the ear.  The cochlea receives the sound vibrations and then transfers it into nerve impulses.  I am a big fan of watching the T.V. show Grey's Anatomy.  During an episode a couple of seasons ago, I remember watching a cute little boy trick or treating for ears on a Halloween episode.  I have yet to find a clip of the boy.  The little boy needed cochlear implants.  After learning about ears this week I wanted to see how these cochlear implants actually worked.  The cochlear implants go around the cochlea and uses its own electrical signals that stimulate the auditory nerve.  The small round device can be seen on the scalp. The device from the scalp also runs through the ear, into the ear lobe and past the cochlea.  There is a picture of a cochlear implant on the website I got the information from.  http://kidshealth.org/parent/general/eyes/cochlear.html