Cochlear implant surgery

A cochlear implant is a small electronic device. It can help with hearing for a child with severe or total hearing loss. The implant does the job of damaged or missing nerve cells. A small device worn outside the ear turns on the implant.

The doctor will make a cut (incision) behind your child's ear. The doctor will place the implant in the inner ear. The incision will leave a scar that will fade with time. The implant may make a small bump under the skin behind the ear. Your child's hair may cover the scar, the bump, and the device worn outside the ear.

Make sure that your child gets all of the required vaccines at least 2 weeks before cochlear implant surgery.

Most children go home the same day of the surgery or the next day. They can go back to school or day care in 1 week and normal activities in 3 to 4 weeks.

Your child's hearing will not change right after surgery. The change won't happen until the implant is turned on 3 to 6 weeks later. This gives the ear time to heal.

A cochlear implant can improve how well your child understands speech and speaks. It will not give your child normal hearing. How well your child's implant works depends on many things. These include how long your child has been unable to hear and how well sound signals travel to the brain through the auditory nerve. You and your child will work with a speech therapist after surgery to learn how to make the most of the implant.

Surgery can be stressful. This information will help you understand what you can expect. And it will help you safely prepare for surgery.

Preparing for surgery

• Get all of the required vaccines at least 2 weeks before your surgery.
• Be sure you have someone to take you home. Anesthesia and pain medicine will make it unsafe for you to drive or get home on your own.
• Understand exactly what surgery is planned, along with the risks, benefits, and other options.
• If you take a medicine that prevents blood clots, your doctor may tell you to stop taking it before your surgery. Or your doctor may tell you to keep taking it. (These medicines include aspirin and other blood thinners.) Make sure that you understand exactly what your doctor wants you to do.
• Tell your doctor ALL the medicines, vitamins, supplements, and herbal remedies you take. Some may increase the risk of problems during your surgery. Your doctor will tell you if you should stop taking any of them before the surgery and how soon to do it.
• Make sure your doctor and the hospital have a copy of your advance directive. If you don’t have one, you may want to prepare one. It lets others know your health care wishes. It’s a good thing to have before any type of surgery or procedure.

Activity

• Rest when you feel tired. Getting enough sleep will help you recover. Sleep with your head up by using three or four pillows. You can also try to sleep with your head up in a reclining chair.
• Try to walk each day. Start by walking a little more than you did the day before. Bit by bit, increase the amount you walk. Walking boosts blood flow and helps prevent pneumonia and constipation.
• Avoid strenuous activities, such as bicycle riding, jogging, weight lifting, or aerobic exercise, for about 4 to 6 weeks or until your doctor says it is okay.
• For 4 to 6 weeks or until your doctor says it is okay, avoid lifting anything that would make you strain. This may include a child, heavy grocery bags and milk containers, a heavy briefcase or backpack, cat litter or dog food bags, or a vacuum cleaner.
• You may shower and wash your hair about 1 week after the surgery. Keep water out of your ear by using an ear plug or shower cap. Do not put your head underwater until your doctor tells you it is okay.
• Ask your doctor when you can drive again.
• Avoid sudden head movements and bending over for the first 2 to 3 days after surgery. These actions may cause dizziness.

Diet

• You can eat your normal diet. If your stomach is upset, try bland, low-fat foods like plain rice, broiled chicken, toast, and yogurt.

Medicines

• Your doctor will tell you if and when you can restart your medicines. The doctor will also give you instructions about taking any new medicines.
• If you stopped taking aspirin or some other blood thinner, your doctor will tell you when to start taking it again.
• Take pain medicines exactly as directed.
  • If you are not taking a prescription pain medicine, ask your doctor if you can take an over-the-counter medicine.
  • If the doctor gave you a prescription medicine for pain, take it as prescribed.
  • Store your prescription pain medicines where no one else can get to them. When you are done using them, dispose of them quickly and safely. Your local pharmacy or hospital may have a drop-off site.
• If you think your pain medicine is making you sick to your stomach:
  • Take your medicine after meals (unless your doctor has told you not to).
  • Ask your doctor for a different pain medicine.
• If your doctor prescribed antibiotics, take them as directed. Do not stop taking them just because you feel better. You need to take the full course of antibiotics.

Incision care

• You may have a bandage over the incision. You can remove the bandage 2 or 3 days after surgery or when your doctor says it is okay.
• After you remove the bandage, wash the area daily with warm, soapy water, and pat it dry. Don't use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol, which can slow healing.
• Keep the area clean and dry.

Other instructions

• Do not blow your nose. If you need to sneeze or cough, do not try to stop it. Open your mouth, and do not pinch your nose.