Cochlear Implant is generally safe. This procedure involves an incision behind your ear and places an implant in your inner ear. That implant works on the absent nerve cell (auditory nerve) in our normal ear to make hearing possible. This process is surgical, and the swollen part behind your ear may take about three to five weeks to heal.
You may feel mild to moderate pain around your ear area and have a headache for a few days. Others may hear popping or clicking sounds and dizziness. Most of them go away within a week. However, bear in mind that each person recovers at a different pace.
Post Surgical care for cochlear implant patients
Healing from your surgery isn’t tricky, but it will take time. The aid and support of family and friends will be vital as you heal. The surgeon might recommend that you continue to use your hearing aid on your non-implanted ear if you were using hearing aids before the surgery.
These helpful tips will aid you in recovering post-op:
- Take note of your surgeon’s instructions and take the prescribed medication promptly.
- Arrange a ride home because it is not possible to drive home by yourself. It is best to have someone with you after the surgery.
- Your doctor will inform you when you can take off the bandage. Sometimes it only takes a few days.
- You may be able to wash your hair one week after surgery unless instructed by your physician. Keep water out of your ear.
- Stay hydrated, and keeping a healthy diet post-op can help you heal faster and get past any side effects from anesthesia.
- Get a lot of rest. Getting adequate sleep will help you recover. Sleep in a reclined position with your head up. You may also try resting with your head in a reclining chair.
Self-care at home
These are some easy activities you can do after getting adequate rest:
- Short walks. You can do short walks nearby and get some fresh air. Slowly, you can increase the distance and pace once you have recovered. Walking helps with blood flood and pneumonia and constipation prevention.
- No Lifting. Avoid strenuous activities such as jogging, aerobic exercises, weightlifting or lifting heavy objects, biking, etc. Chores such as lifting heavy grocery bags or excessive cleaning are also considered strenuous. Before doing exercise, ask your doctor’s permission. This is to avoid strain in the surgical area.
- Showering your head can wait. Keep water out of your ear for about a week after surgery. Ask your doctor’s advice on when you can wash and shower your hair post-surgery.
- Avoid sudden heavy movements for the first few days. You may get dizzy.
- Never blow your nose. If you are about to sneeze or cough, do not try to stop it. Keep your mouth open, and do not pinch your nose.
- Eat normally or ask your doctor’s advice on your diet restrictions.
- Take your medication on time and as directed.
Be sure to have your doctor’s number in case of emergency. It is also better to have someone with you in case you pass out, have an excessive headache, increased pain in the incision area (which may be signs of infection), bleeding through the bandage, or get sicker post surgery. Cochlear Implant Singapore is also ready to help should a cochlear implant be more appropriate for you (especially children) than hearing aids. For more details on this option, please send your questions to the website’s contact form or book an appointment here.