Once you have made the decision to get a cochlear implant to improve your hearing, Dr. Moises Arriaga and the staff at CNC Hearing and Balance Center will give you instructions to prepare the day before surgery. Please follow those closely.
After cochlear implant surgery, you will have a wrestler’s type cap over your ear that you generally remove the following day and you will be given instructions on how to care for it along with medication prescriptions and activity restrictions. Once you take the bandage off, you may have some swelling around the incision site. After the incision behind the ear heals and swelling disappears, a slightly raised bump will remain where the implant has been placed. Don’t worry, this area is typically covered by hair.
The recovery process will take some patience, but it’s important to take the time you need to heal, so you can be ready to go to your activation appointment.
Recovering from your surgery isn’t complicated, but it will take time. The help and support of family and friends will be important as you heal. If you were using two hearing aids prior to surgery, talk to Dr. Arriaga about using your hearing aid on your non-implanted ear. Here are some tips and recommendations to help you recover:
• Follow your doctor’s instructions and take medication as directed.
• You won’t be able to drive yourself home after surgery, so please arrange for a ride home. It’s also a good idea to have someone with you for a day after your surgery.
• Dr. Arriaga’s staff will let you know when to remove the bandage, usually the day after surgery.
• You should be able to shower and wash your hair 3 days after surgery unless instructed otherwise.
• Staying hydrated and eating a healthy diet after surgery can help promote healing and help you get past any side effects from the anesthesia.
• Pain medicine can be constipating; you may want to take an over the counter stool softener or Miralax daily.
• Always take antibiotic and pain medicine with food.
This post-surgery period is a time to rest. Take this opportunity to anticipate what’s to come when you hear for the first time at activation.
Source: Cochlear
Activation – Turning on the Processor
In this video, Dr. Moises Arriaga explains when it’s the right time to activate your processor:
If you are suffering from severe hearing loss and find that your hearing aids are just not working for you like you need them to, call CNC Hearing and Balance Center for an appointment to evaluate the possibility of a cochlear implant.
