Final answer:
A cochlear implant would not restore hearing in cases where the auditory nerve is abnormal because it relies on a functioning auditory nerve to transmit sound signals to the brain.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cochlear implants can provide hearing for individuals with a nonfunctional cochlea by converting sound into electrical impulses that stimulate the auditory nerve. However, the device would not be effective in all types of hearing loss. Specifically, it would not be suitable for a hearing loss condition where the auditory nerve itself is abnormal or damaged. Having a functional auditory nerve is imperative for the cochlear implant to work, as it relies on this nerve to transmit signals to the brain.
The types of hearing loss which could potentially be restored by a cochlear implant include those resulting from the absence or loss of hair cells in the organ of Corti (the sensory structure within the cochlea), and damage to the bones of the middle ear (conducting part of hearing). However, if there is an abnormal auditory nerve, or the auditory nerve is not intact, then a cochlear implant would not be helpful. The reason is that the implant bypasses the damaged cochlear structures, but it still needs a functioning nerve to carry the signal to the brain.