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Cochlear Implant Surgery Procedures

A cochlear implant is not a cure for deafness, but it can be a blessing to those who cannot benefit from hearing aids. The insertion process is fairly simple and covered by most insurance companies. If you have severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss, you may be a candidate for a cochlear implant.

  1. Function

    • A cochlear implant consists of an external device that turns sound into electronic signals and sends them to electrodes implanted in the cochlea. The electrodes stimulate hearing nerve fibers, sending auditory cues to the brain. Cochlear implants do not fully restore hearing and require rehabilitation to accustom the brain to sounds.

    Benefits

    • Hearing recognition generally improves over time. When combined with listening exercises, lip reading and speech therapy, the success rate can be very high. Several factors influence the benefit of a cochlear implant, such as the number of intact auditory nerves, the length of time a person has lived with hearing loss, and the ability to adapt to new stimulus.

    Surgery

    • Insertion of the internal component is usually done on an outpatient basis under general anesthesia. Surgery can take one to four hours to perform. Hair is shaved from the surrounding area and a small incision is made behind the ear. The surgeon carves a shallow depression in the mastoid bone where the internal receiver will be placed. A hole is then drilled through the bone down to the inner ear, where a tiny strip of electrodes is slipped through to the cochlea. The incision is closed with stitches or a special tape. The patient rests in a recovery room until the anesthesia wears off and is then allowed to return home. A follow-up appointment is scheduled a week later to check the incision site.

    Side Effects

    • As with any surgery, there are a few risks associated with general anesthesia. After the operation, a patient may experience nausea, disorientation, pain, pressure around the ear, sore throat and vertigo. Other side effects include stiffness or numbness around the ear, problems with balance, a metallic taste in the mouth and a change in tinnitus (either becoming louder or going away completely). Complications include inflammation, infection and facial nerve disturbances.

    Post Surgery

    • The incision is allowed two to six weeks to heal before the electrodes are activated by an external device. An audiologist uses a computer program to check each electrode and then creates a set of instructions to direct auditory nerve stimulation. The patient returns several times over a period of months for programming and rehabilitation sessions. Speech therapy may also be prescribed.

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