understanding a cochlear Implant
~~1. the outer ear collects sounds waves that pass through the air
~~2. the sound waves vibrate the eardrum and the three tiny bones (hammer, anvil and stirrup) in the middle ear
~~3. This vibration moves the tiny hairs of the sensory cells in the inner ear or cochlea: sensory cells convert the vibrations to an electrical signal that is sent to the hearing nerve
~~4. The signal travels up the nerve and into the brain, where it is interpreted as sound.

Hearing with a cochlear implant
~~1. sound is captured bu a microphone on the sound processor
~~2. the sound processor converts sound into detailed digital information
~~3. the magnetic headpiece sends the digital signals to the implant
~~4. the electrode array on the implant sends electrical signals to the hearing nerve
~~5. The hearing nerve sends impulses to the brain where they are interpreted as sound