Cochlear implant surgery

If you just started noticing changes in your hearing, Amplifon is here for you.

Why might I need cochlear implant surgery?

Medical specialists may consider cochlear implant treatment in a number of cases. For example: if you have a significant hearing loss and the help of hearing aids is not enough; or if you can hear in both ears, but with poor clarity; or without lip-reading, you cannot follow a conversation well.

The cochlear implant operation - step by step

The cochlear implant procedure is generally considered a minimally invasive surgery and is usually performed under general anaesthesia. The procedure can take between 2 and 4 hours, and the patient is usually discharged the following day.

The day before surgery

The patient undergoes some pre-operative tests.

The day of the operation

The operation requires general anaesthesia.

Once the surgery is over, the patient is transferred to the recovery unit until they are discharged a few hours later, or the following day. Before leaving the hospital, a healthcare professional will explain the care you should follow and how to continue your recovery at home.

After the surgery

Approximately one week later, a follow-up visit takes place and the surgeon checks how you are progressing.  

Between 1 month and 2 months after surgery, activation takes place.

During the first two months after activation, you have to visit your doctor regularly for possible adjustments to the programming of your implant. You will also have to visit a speech therapist to work on improving communication.

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Is implant surgery risky?

The insertion of a cochlear implant is considered a routine operation for a surgeon specialising in otolaryngology or audiology. Like any surgical operation, it is not without risk, but it is a simple procedure requiring only a small incision of 4 to 5 cm behind the ear.

Advantages and disadvantages of cochlear implants

Many factors influence the outcome of a cochlear implant procedure. Today, thanks to constant advances in audiological technology, choosing a cochlear implant is an excellent way of remedying profound deafness and moderate to severe hearing loss. The most common risk factors are:

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We take the time to understand your hearing health and the impact it’s having on your life and the people closest to you. With approximately 200 Amplifon clinics in the UK, we can ensure that we can support you when you need us most. Whether you need a FREE hearing test, or a hearing aid adjustment, our audiologists will provide you with expert, professional advice.

Unilateral or bilateral cochlear implants?

Depending on whether the implant is placed in one or both ears, it is referred to as a unilateral or bilateral cochlear implant. In both cases, the decision will be based on whether the deafness is unilateral or bilateral, and on the patient's day-to-day needs.

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Are there different types of cochlear implant?

There are several types of cochlear implant, depending on the nature of the patient's hearing loss. The most common implants are:

  • bone conduction devices, which convert sound into vibrations that are sent to the inner ear via the outer and middle ear;
  • middle ear implants, which pick up sound and convert it into vibrations that are transmitted to the middle ear and then to the inner ear;
  • auditory implants placed in the brain stem, which convert sound into signals sent to the brain via the auditory nerve.
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I need an implant: what should I do?

Before a cochlear implant is fitted, preliminary clinical examinations are necessary to assess your eligibility. These include:

  • audiological tests such as tone and speech audiometry;
  • assessment of hearing aid performance in people already fitted with a hearing aid;
  • computer tomography and/or magnetic resonance imaging;
  • standard examinations prior to an operation under general anaesthetic.

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