Final answer:
The sound pathway for a cochlear implant involves an external microphone and speech processor that convert and process sound into an electrical signal, which is then transmitted to internal components, converted into electric impulses, and sent via electrodes in the cochlea to the auditory nerve and to the brain.
Step-by-step explanation:
The sound pathway for a cochlear implant typically involves several steps that convert sound waves into electrical signals that can be interpreted by the brain. The pathway begins with the external microphone that captures sound and converts it into an electrical signal. This signal is then processed by the external speech processor, which emphasizes key frequencies associated with speech. The processed signal is transmitted to the internal receiver via electromagnetic induction.
Once inside the body, the receiver converts the signal into electric impulses that travel through an internal cable to the cochlea. In the cochlea, an array of electrodes directly stimulate the auditory nerve, bypassing damaged hair cells. These impulses are then sent to the brain, where they are interpreted as sound. Cochlear implants can restore hearing for individuals with damage to the hair cells in the cochlea but require a functional auditory nerve to convey the signals to the brain.