Cochlear Implant Surgery

Overview of Cochlear Implant Surgery

An individual’s hearing issues could be due to damage to the inner ear. This damage can either be genetic or from exposure to certain loud noises. A cochlear implant is a special electronic device specifically designed to help people with hearing impairment issues. It helps in partial restoration of normal hearing.

As part of the procedure for cochlear implant surgery, the ENT specialist will make an incision behind the ear. They will then make a small hole in the skull region to insert the electronic device. The success rate of this surgery varies depending on the patient’s age and the severity of the condition. Younger patients typically recover sooner and with better results than the elderly.

About Cochlear Implant Surgery

A person experiencing issues in normal hearing even after using hearing aids can undergo cochlear implant surgery for restoring approximately half of the normal hearing. The surgery is performed under local anesthesia. The ENT surgeon makes a small incision in the cochlea to thread the electrode of this electronic device.

If the patient has moderate hearing loss, the ENT specialist will use a partially inserted cochlear implant. In this case, both hearing aid and cochlear implants work together to resolve hearing issues. In the case of severe hearing loss, a complete implant of the cochlear electronic device is recommended to regain hearing.

It is normal to feel a bit dizzy or have discomfort in the ear after the transplant. This discomfort eventually wears off after some time.

Who qualifies for Cochlear Implant Surgery?

Any person experiencing difficulty in hearing may consider cochlear implant surgery. Your ENT doctor or audiologist may recommend you this in the following cases:

• For patients experiencing difficulty in hearing.
• For patients that do not find hearing aids helpful.
• For patients unable to hear a complete spoken sentence and only hear broken words.
• For persons who start focussing more on lip-reading rather than listening or hearing the speech.

In case of any such symptoms or issues, you should contact the ENT specialist near you.

Why the Cochlear Implant Surgery is conducted?

The primary aim of cochlear implant surgery is to restore hearing issues due to damaged inner ear cells or any genetic defect. Following surgery, most patients recover up to 50% of their hearing loss. This leads to a better quality of life as they can hear sounds and do not need visual aids to communicate.

Cochlear implant surgery is more effective in infants. Bilateral implants (cochlear implants in both ears) are gaining popularity and are becoming more common.

Benefits of Cochlear Implant Surgery

Following the cochlear implant surgery, patients will usually experience the following benefits:

• They can now hear different sounds such as phone and doorbell ringing, sounds of birds, and most everyday sounds.
• They might be able to understand entire sentences with little or no need for lip reading.
• They can better understand while watching TV, even without subtitles.
• They can easily speak over the phone and listen to music.
• They can understand sound even in busy and noisy surroundings.
• They can identify and follow the direction of the noise.

Risks or Complications of Cochlear Implant Surgery

Cochlear implant surgery has an excellent success rate; however, it can cause certain complications and risk factors.

• In some instances, the patients might lose the residual hearing in the affected ear.
• The surgery can lead to inflammation of cells of the brain or spinal cord while inserting the device. To avoid any such complications, patients are vaccinated before the surgery.
• The cochlear implant device sometimes fails to work. In that case, the ENT specialist may have to perform another surgery to remove the defective piece.
• There can be bleeding during the surgery.
• Sometimes, it can cause temporary facial paralysis.
• There can be an infection at the site of implantation.
• It can lead to CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) leak or taste disturbances.

If you experience any such complications, do visit the ENT specialist near you.

Request an appointment at

Apollo Spectra Hospitals

Call 18605002244 to book an appointment