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Cochlear Implants


Why is this procedure done?


A cochlear implant helps people hear better. It is used for certain kinds of hearing problems. There are two different parts to the implant. They are the receiver and the transmitter. The receiver part is the inside part. It has wires and a small magnet. The receiver gets signals and sends them to your brain to help improve your hearing. The transmitter is the outside part. It is the part that hears and sends the signal to the inside part of the cochlear implant. The transmitter sits on the outside of the skin. It looks like a hearing aid. You will be able to easily put it in place and remove it. ‚  


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What will the results be?


This procedure should help your hearing. ‚  

What happens before the procedure?


  • Your doctor will take your history. Talk to the doctor about:
    • All the drugs you are taking. Be sure to include all prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, and herbal supplements. Tell the doctor about any drug allergy. Bring a list of drugs you take with you.
    • Any bleeding problems. Be sure to tell your doctor if you are taking any drugs that may cause bleeding. Some of these are Coumadin ‚ ®, ibuprofen, Aleve ‚ ® (naproxen), or aspirin. Certain vitamins and herbs, such as garlic and fish oil, may also add to the risk for bleeding. You may need to stop these drugs as well. Talk to your doctor about them.
    • If you need to stop eating or drinking before your procedure.
  • Your doctor will do an exam and may order:
    • A hearing test
    • MRI or CT scan to look at the structure of your ears
  • You will not be allowed to drive right away after the procedure. Ask a family member or a friend to drive you home.

What happens during the procedure?


  • Once you are in the operating room, you will be given a drug to make you sleepy. It will also help you stay pain free during the surgery. The staff will put an I.V. in your arm to give you fluids and drugs.
  • Your doctor may need to shave the hair around your ear or tape it out of the way. Your doctor will clean this area.
  • Your doctor will make a cut in your skin behind the ear. A hole is made into the bone behind the ear. Small wires are put into the hole into the cochlea. This is in your inner ear. These wires will be attached to a receiver. The receiver will be placed behind your ear under your skin. Your doctor will close the cut with stitches.
  • This surgery most often takes 2 to 4 hours.

What happens after the procedure?


  • You will feel pressure or pain around the implant after the procedure. Your doctor will give you drugs to help with the pain.
  • You will have bandages around the implant area. You may see drainage on the bandages.
  • Under the bandages are stitches. These stitches will be there until your doctor sees you at your follow-up visit. This is most often the next week.
  • In 4 to 6 weeks, your wound will be healed. You will come back to the doctor to have the transmitter attached. This part stays on the outside of your skin.
  • You will work with hearing specialists to learn to hear' with your cochlear implant. This is an important part of the procedure.

What care is needed at home?


  • Talk to your doctor about how to care for your cut site. Ask your doctor about:
    • When you should change your bandages
    • How to care for your cut sites
    • When you may take a bath or shower
  • Be sure to wash your hands before touching your wound or dressing.
  • Talk to your doctor about your implant. Ask your doctor about:
    • The device and any special care you need to give it
    • If you need to stay away from MRIs or other devices that have magnets
  • Do not play any contact sports like football. This may damage the device.
  • Avoid hitting your head.

What follow-up care is needed?


Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. ‚  
During your follow-up, your doctor will fit you for your outside part which is the transmitter. Your doctor will need to see you a few times to test your hearing and adjust the settings so you can hear sounds appropriately. Your doctor may give you cochlear implant training. This will help you recognize sounds, read lips, and develop speech skills. ‚  

What problems could happen?


  • Infection
  • Damage to surrounding nerves
  • Trouble with balance
  • Emotional distress
  • Poor quality of hearing sounds after the procedure
  • May not be able to have some medical tests done, such as MRI

Where can I learn more?


American Speech Language Hearing Association ‚  
http://www.asha.org/public/hearing/Cochlear-Implant/ ‚  
KidsHealth ‚  
http://kidshealth.org/parent/general/eyes/cochlear.html ‚  
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders ‚  
http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing/pages/coch.aspx ‚  

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer


This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚  

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