Praxis SLP Licensure Exam

In a malfunctioning cochlear implant (CI), which component converts sounds into a digital signal?

1. Microphone

2. External sounds processor

3. Internal unit

4. Electrode array

The correct answer is: External sounds processor

The component responsible for converting sounds into a digital signal in a cochlear implant is the external sound processor. This device is crucial because it captures sound through its microphone and analyzes it. The sound processor then converts these captured sounds into a digital representation, which allows it to be transmitted to the internal components of the implant for further processing. In the context of cochlear implants, the microphone captures environmental sounds, but it is the external sound processor that performs the critical function of converting those sounds into a digital signal. The internal unit and electrode array work together to stimulate the auditory nerve, but they do not perform the conversion from sound to a digital format. Therefore, understanding the specific roles of these components clarifies the importance of the external sound processor in the functioning of cochlear implants.