Discharge Instructions: Cochlear Implant
Important information about the implant:
A cochlear implant is a device that is stimulated by sound and helps a person with severe to profound hearing loss to hear. A cochlear implant has two parts: the inner part, which is surgically placed in the inner ear and an outer speech processor, which receives the sounds. The speech processor receives the sounds and sends these sounds across the skin to the inner part. Learn more about cochlear implants.
Important information about the operation:
Cochlear implant surgery is outpatient surgery. Your child will go home the same day. The procedure is done under general anesthesia, so your child will not remember or experience pain during the procedure because they are asleep.
The surgeon may shave a small amount of hair and will make a small incision behind the ear on the side that was chosen for implant placement. The cochlear implant is placed into the ear through a small opening. We will check your child’s facial nerve during the procedure. We want to be sure that the facial nerve is protected during the surgery. We will place small electrodes on your child’s face that tell us whether the nerve is safe. Sometimes the electrodes leave small bruises on your child’s face. This is normal and should go away in a few days. When the procedure is finished, the surgeon will place a removable pressure dressing behind the ear.
Instructions following surgery:
What to expect
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Your child will have an incision behind the ear that is covered with skin-glue and a pressure dressing. There are no visible stitches. You may remove the dressing the day after surgery.
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If your child has ear tubes, expect to see drainage from the ear on the side of the implant. At first it may be red (bloody), then darker in color.
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If your child does not have an ear tube on the side where the implant was placed, you may see a small amount of blood from the nose, which should stop within a day.
Medicines
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Your child may complain of ear pain. They may have pain or discomfort with chewing. Give your child the pain medicine as prescribed by your healthcare provider. Do not give aspirin without asking your surgeon.
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If your child was given a prescription for an oral antibiotic, give as directed.
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If your child has ear tubes, give antibiotic ear drops as instructed, once the ear dressing comes off.
Activity and diet
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Your child should drink clear fluids first, such as apple juice, white grape juice or water. If these are tolerated, then they may return to their usual diet.
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Keep the incision clean and dry for 3 days.
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No contact sports for 2 weeks after surgery. Protect the head (as much as possible) from getting banged or bumped, until your surgeon allows your child to return to their regular activities.
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No MRIs or monopolar Bovie. Obtain a medical alert for your child to wear. for your child to wear.
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Your child may return to school or daycare when they are feeling well.
Follow-up appointment
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You will need an ENT appointment 3-4 weeks after surgery. If possible, try to schedule the ENT appointment on the same day as the audiology appointment to activate the processor.
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Surgery to implant the device is just one step of the cochlear implant process. Detailed post-operative care continues for a year or more after surgery and can help determine how much hearing and speech improvement your child will achieve. Learn more about general follow-up guidelines.
Contact your CHOP ENT team with questions, concerns or if:
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Your child’s incision develops swelling, redness, bleeding or drainage
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The edges of the incision open or separate
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Your child has a temperature higher than 101F (38.3°C)
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Pain is not relieved by acetaminophen or ibuprofen
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Your child has frequent vomiting or dizziness
215-590-3440
7 days per week/24 hours
Reviewed February 2024 by Megan Englehart, MSN, CRNP