Contents

#### **Preface XI**


Piotr Henryk Skarżyński and Maciej Ludwikowski

#### **X** Contents

### **Section 3 Treatment Strategies for Hearing Loss 135**

Chapter 8 **Cochlear Implants: An Excursus into the Technologies and Clinical Applications 137** Mohammad Hossein Khosravi, Ali Kouhi, Sasan Dabiri, Pedram Borghei and Masoumeh Saeedi

Preface

throughout each chapter.

The objective of this volume is to diffuse the information related to hearing loss, which is among the most prevalent chronic disabilities worldwide. Nowadays, it is clear that the identification and rehabilitation of hearing impairment, when possible, have to be adequate‐ ly and promptly managed because hearing loss can seriously interfere with psychosocial de‐

This volume was made possible through the substantial contributions of 10 groups of authors. The format of this volume is purely educational, targeting graduate courses in audiology, speech pathology and hearing science, and neurosciences and basic graduate course in oto‐ laryngology. The authors have been asked to present a generous background of their topic in the introduction section of their chapter and an extensive list of technical terms used

1. Section I: "Hearing Loss and Its Etiology." In this section, the problems associated with various types of hearing impairment are presented, particularly focusing on

2. Section II: "Early Diagnosis and Prevention of Hearing Loss." This section focuses on the description of a newborn-hearing screening as an important tool to prevent problems resulting from hearing loss and on the assessment and prevention of oto‐ toxicity (the various side effects of drugs related to cochlear-induced damage). 3. Section III: "Treatment Strategies for Hearing Loss." Hearing aids, cochlear im‐ plants, and implantable devices represent the currently used treatments for reha‐ bilitation of patients affected by hearing impairment, and the specific indication

It was our intention to use multimedia material wherever possible, but for the majority of contributors, this was not feasible. Further developments (such as multimedia materials and updates) will probably appear on IntechOpen website (https://www.intechopen.com/).

We would personally like to thank all the contributing authors, the IntechOpen personnel, and specifically Ms. Renata Sliva and Ms. Dajana Pemac for their continuous and generous

**Stavros Hatzopoulos PhD and Andrea Ciorba MD PhD**

Clinic of Audiology & ENT University of Ferrara, Italy

velopment, family dynamics, and social interactions.

The volume is divided into three main sections as follows:

the genetic background of hearing loss.

of each solution is presented and discussed.

assistance during the preparation of this volume.

