What does the cochlear implant rely on for function?

The cochlear implant operates fundamentally through the stimulation provided by an external device. This technology includes two primary components: the external processor and the internal implant. The external processor captures sound from the environment and converts it into digital signals. These signals are then transmitted to the implanted portion of the device, which directly stimulates the auditory nerve, bypassing damaged hair cells in the cochlea. This process enables individuals with severe to profound hearing loss to perceive sound in a way that is close to natural hearing.

The other options do not accurately describe the core mechanism of cochlear implants. Vibrations outside the ear, for instance, do not play a role in the processing of sound for cochlear implants, as it is the electrical signals generated by the external device that provide access to sound. Magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound waves also do not contribute to the functioning of cochlear implants; rather, they are forms of imaging technologies that have no direct involvement in the auditory processing inherent to cochlear implants.