Cochlear Implants

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• A cochlear implant (CI) is a small device that helps improve your hearing. Normally, sounds are changed into electric signals by hair cells in your cochlea. The signals are sent through your auditory (hearing) nerve to your brain, allowing you to hear sound. The cochlea is inside your inner ear. Damage to the hair cells in the cochlea causes hearing loss.
  
  
• With a CI, you will wear a plastic ear piece with a tiny microphone. This is attached to a speech or sound box. During surgery, electrodes (wires) are put into your cochlea. An incision is made behind your ear and a receiver is put under the skin. The receiver works together with a transmitter. The transmitter is a round plastic coil that is worn outside your ear.

AFTER YOU LEAVE:

Medicines:

• Pain medicine: You may be given medicine to take away or decrease pain. Do not wait until the pain is severe before you take your medicine.
  
  
• Take your medicine as directed. Call your primary healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not helping or if you have side effects. Tell him if you are allergic to any medicine. Keep a list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs you take. Include the amounts, and when and why you take them. Bring the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits. Carry your medicine list with you in case of an emergency.

Follow up with your primary healthcare provider or ear, nose, and throat specialist as directed:

You may need to return to have your sutures removed. You will need to return for hearing tests to check if your CI works properly. Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.

Rehabilitation:

This is therapy that helps you learn how to use your CI. This training will help you understand the electric messages as speech or sound.

Contact your primary healthcare provider or ear, nose, and throat specialist if:

• You have a fever, chills, or feel weak and achy.
  
  
• You feel dizzy or have nausea and vomiting.
  
  
• You feel more sleepy than usual.
  
  
• Your wound is red, swollen, or draining pus.
  
  
• You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.

Seek care immediately or call 911 if:

• You lose feeling on your face or cannot move parts of your face.
  
  
• You have a severe headache.
  
  
• Your neck feels painful or stiff.
  
  
• You have a seizure.

Learn more about Cochlear Implants (Discharge Care)