top of page
Meet the Creator
Cochlear-Communication-Awareness-logo

Hearing Differently: Understanding the Cochlear implant experience

Compare how everyday sounds are processed through cochlear implants vs. typical hearing and discover why representation matters

Credited Sources & Research​

Note: While grounded in real signal-processing science, cochlear implant experiences vary per person based on array placement and neural adaptation.

 

-  SciShow – Signal processing breakdown: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzgQrHFDNLE

Disclaimer: This is an artistic approximation; cochlear implant hearing varies widely by individual.

 

- Advanced Bionics – Auditory care overview: https://www.advancedbionics.com/us/en/home/communities/1/blog/blog-articles/what-do-cochlear-implants-sound-like

Normal - First_person POV video from the 1st person perspective of a high school student w

HEARING 

Script: "See you in history class."

DHH Version 2DHH V3 - First_person POV video.mp4

COCHLEAR

Script: "See you in history class."

Hearing clarity varies greatly among cochlear implant (CI) users. Because CIs operate on an average of just 20 to 24 channels, achieving full-spectrum hearing is incredibly difficult. This limitation often creates a robotic or highly digital-sounding environment.

Now that you have a rough idea of what a CI user experiences through these simulations, here is how you can help:

  • Be mindful of your sound environment: Choose quieter spaces for conversations whenever possible.

  • Watch the background noise: Excessive ambient noise makes it much harder for a CI user to isolate your voice.

bottom of page