Article Context
- Overview
- Why It's Done
- Who Uses a Cochlear Implant
- Cochlear Implant Procedure
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Citations
Overview
What is a Cochlear Implant?

Who Uses a Cochlear Implant?
- The person must be totally or almost completely deaf in both ears and hardly improve with hearing aids. Cochlear implants are not used for those who can hear well enough with hearing aids.
- The person needs to be highly motivated. After the cochlear implant is in place, they must learn to use the device correctly.
- The person must have reasonable expectations about what will happen after the surgery. The implant does not preserve or produce "natural" hearing in the user.
- Children must be enrolled in programs that help them to learn process sound.
- An otolaryngologist must examine a person to determine if they are a candidate for a cochlear implant (otolaryngologist). Those who wear hearing aids will also require various forms of hearing checks.
- This may include a CT scan or MRI of the brain, the middle and inner ear.
- A psychologist may need to evaluate people (especially children) to determine if they are good candidates.
Procedure:
- Examination of the outer, middle, and inner ear for signs of infection or abnormalities.
- Various hearing tests, such as an audiogram, BERA,OAE,Impedence.
- A hearing aid can be used as a test to assess their potential benefit.
- Exams to evaluate the structures of the middle and inner ear.
- CT scan (computed tomography). This helps the doctor see if the cochlea is in a normal shape. This scan is especially important if the patient has a history of meningitis because it helps to see if there is new bone growth in the cochlea that could interfere with implant insertion. This scan will also help assess which ear needs to be inserted.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan to see Cochlear nerve thickness and yo rule out any pathology in brain.
- Psychological evaluation to determine if the patient is capable of coping with the implant.
- Physical exam to prepare for general anesthesia.
During Surgery:
- Insert some intravenous (IV) lines
- Shave or clean the scalp around the implant site
- Attach cables, monitors, and patches to the patient's skin to monitor vital signs.
- Place a mask on the patient's face to provide oxygen and anesthetic gas.
- Administer intravenous medications and mask to cause drowsiness and general anesthesia.
- Surgery is done under microscope. For one ear it takes about 2 hours and for both sides around 4 hours.
- Wake the patient in the operating room and take him to a recovery room until all anesthesia wears off.
After Surgery:
- Pressure or discomfort on the implanted ear
- Dizziness
- Sore throat for a time from the breathing tube used during general anesthesia
- Keep the bandages on for a while
- Staining the bandages with some blood or liquid
- Go home about a day after surgery
- Get instructions on stitches care, head washing, showering, and general care and diet
- Make an appointment in about a week to have the stitches removed and the implant site examined
- Have the implant "turn on" (activate) approximately 3-6 weeks later
Complications:
- Facial Nerve damage
- Dizziness or balance problems.
- Hearing loss
- Ringing in your ears (tinnitus)
- Fluid leaks around the brain.
- Meningitis, an infection of the membranes that surround the brain. It's an uncommon but severe side effect.
Conclusion:
Frequently Asked Questions:
For most patients, sound quality will continually improve for the first six to twelve months. The cochlear implant is a lifetime commitment.
Cochlear implants are the most successful medical prostheses in the world, with less than 0.2% of recipients rejecting or not using them and the failure rate requiring reimplantation is around 0.5%.
The implant does not restore your ability to hear naturally, so it does provide you with sounds. Most people with severe to profound hearing loss can understand speech in person or on the phone better than with a hearing aid.
Most people notice a significant increase in their awareness of sounds within a few days after the cochlear implant is turned on, which is approximately four to six weeks after surgery.