What Does a Cochlear Implant Surgery Do
Cochlear implants provide the opportunity for those with moderate to profound hearing loss or deafness to experience sound and verbal communication again. But what does a cochlear implant surgery involve?
In this blog post, we’ll explore the pre-operative assessment, procedure itself and post-operative care that comes with getting a cochlear implant.
Pre-Operative Assessment: Before undergoing surgery, doctors will perform comprehensive tests and examinations such as MRI scans, CT scans and X-rays in order to identify any issues that may affect the procedure. This also helps them choose the appropriate device size and type for each individual patient.
Procedure: The actual procedure usually takes between 1-2 hours and involves implanting an electrode array into the cochlea — a spiral structure found in the inner ear. Depending on which device is being used, this could be either placed through an opening in the mastoid bone or inserted directly into the cochlea. Once in place, it receives signals from an external processor which converts them into electrical impulses which are then sent directly to the inner ear’s auditory nerve fibers.
Post-Operative Care: Following the surgery, patients are asked to take specific steps for optimal healing such as avoiding swimming or water activities until cleared by their doctor; taking pain relievers as prescribed; sleeping on their back or side rather than their stomach; avoiding loud noises; wrapping your head with a bandage; using antibiotic drops; keeping your outer ear dry at all times; and practicing gentle neck stretches regularly.
Cochlear implants can provide life changing benefits for those with hearing impairments but it is important to understand what is involved before making an informed decision about whether this procedure is right for you or someone you love.