10 Questions To Ask Your Doctor About Cochlear Implants

There are different treatment options available for those who are dealing with hearing loss. One avenue is the use of cochlear implants. While it’s become a routine surgery, there are certain questions you should ask your doctor to ensure that you know what you’re getting into.

10 Questions To Ask About Cochlear Implants

1. Do you use MRI-safe implants?

Many people need to get an MRI done in their lifetimes. Since cochlear implants contain a magnet, an MRI can cause damage to the implant and your ear. Fortunately, there are MRI-safe implants where the magnet spins in place instead of moving.

2. Do I need surgery on both ears?

The answer to this question will depend on how badly your hearing has been affected in each ear. Some people only need one implant to complement the hearing in their other ear. If the hearing loss in one ear isn’t bad enough to need an implant but still isn’t satisfactory, ask your doctor about an implant/hearing aid combination.

3. What are the risks of having this surgery?

Every surgery has an element of risk. Though the risks of cochlear implant surgery are usually minimal, some of the issues you might experience include dizziness, bleeding, ringing in the ear, and facial nerve weakness.

4. Will the surgery damage my ears?

Generally, surgeons have techniques that won’t damage the existing structure of your ear. However, some people have hearing loss because of abnormalities in their ears that may have to be addressed when putting in the implant.

5. How long is the recovery period?

The timeline can vary but most people are able to go home within a day of the surgery. After a week or two, they’re usually able to go back to work.

6. Will I be able to hear immediately?

There’s usually some amount of healing that needs to take place before your doctor will switch on the implant and test it. This can take up to six weeks.

7. How well will the implants improve my hearing?

While cochlear implants are meant to mimic the natural flow of sounds in your ear to your brain, they might not always sound exactly the same. This is an important matter to discuss with your doctor so you can manage your expectations.