Cochlear Implant Surgery and Its Risk Factors

What is Cochlear Implant?

A cochlear implant is basically a small electronic device that is used in order to improve the hearing of an individual who requires help to hear and understand any kind of sound or speech. People who suffer from deafness or a hearing disability require a cochlear implant in order to improve their quality of life. There are cases where an infant is born with a hearing defect which is also known as a congenital defect, in those cases also a cochlear implant is required.

Now, what is cochlear implant surgery? In cochlear implant surgery, the surgeon makes an incision behind the ear and opens the mastoid bone. The surgeon then looks for the facial nerves and creates an opening to reach the cochlea where the implant is inserted.

The implant is basically a small electronic device that electrically stimulates the cochlear nerves which are responsible for the hearing of a person. The implant is built in such a way that it picks up the sound with the help of a microphone and then it processes the sound and transmits it to the internal part of the ear from where the person perceives it and the internal part is placed under the skin to hear the sound.

Who requires cochlear implant surgery?

A cochlear implant is required to improve the hearing ability of a person or to restore it while helping the person to understand speech or any kind of sound. One should not confuse a cochlear implant with a hearing aid as both are different.

• A hearing Aid just amplifies the sound louder but does not significantly improve the understanding of speech.
• While a cochlear implant helps a person who struggles to understand speech with hearing aids, the implant significantly increases hearing in adults, old age, infants, and toddlers and helps them to learn to speak.

A cochlear implant helps individuals who are unable to process sound or

• Who can hear from both the years but with lack of clarity.
• Individuals who rely on lip reading despite wearing hearing aids.
• Have difficulty in understanding while wearing hearing aids
• Have hearing disability
• Older people with poor hearing

Also, read - Cochlear Implant Surgery Cost in India

Is cochlear implant surgery safe?

Generally, a cochlear implant is a safe procedure and doctors take a lot of care during the procedure. The doctor provides the patient with anesthesia and then performs the surgery with great precision.

How painful is cochlear implant surgery?

Just like most surgeries, cochlear implant surgery is also a safe procedure. The anesthesiologist provides anesthesia so that the person does not feel much pain. After the surgery, the person might feel mild to moderate pain in the ear along with headache and dizziness.

One may also experience some clicking or popping sounds near the year and may be sensitive to bright light and loud sounds. One must take precautions for at least 4 to 5 weeks and must stay away from water sources (swimming pools and beaches)

Also, read - Side Effects After Cochlear Implant Surgery

How long does cochlear implant surgery take?

A cochlear implant is an outpatient procedure and takes some time as it deals with delicate nerves and bones that require absolute precision. One can say a cochlear implant surgery takes about 2 hours per year but the time usually depends upon the condition and requirement of the patient.

What to expect after cochlear implant surgery?

After the cochlear implant surgery, the doctor usually keeps the patient under observation for 2 to 3 days. If there is no complication then one might be asked to visit the doctor to change the dressing and take care of the stitches. Also, the doctor might ask for a follow-up appointment in order to see the recovery of the patient and see if there is any side effect or not.

Usually, the patient takes 4 to 6 weeks in order to fully recover from the surgery.

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What are the risk factors of cochlear implant surgery?

Every surgery has some or other risk factor associated with it. Similarly, cochlear implant surgery also comes with certain risk factors;

Some of the risk factors include:

• Swelling
• Infection
• Bleeding
• Dizziness
• Vertigo
• Ringing in the ear
• Leakage of spinal fluid
• Reaction to anesthesia
• Numbness in the ear
• Chronic inflammation
• Leakage of fluid in the cochlea

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How much does cochlear implant surgery cost?

A cochlear Implant surgery cost depends upon various factors such as the admission fee, the surgeon fee, the type of implant, the medical condition of the patient, the requirement of the patient, post-surgical complications, medical examinations, and the type of hospital. Therefore, one cannot state the exact cost of a cochlear implant in India but it's safe to say that cochlear implant surgery cost in India varies from 65,000 to 4,50,000.

How can we help with the treatment?

If you are in search of cochlear implant surgeons in India, we will assist you and guide you throughout your medical treatment and will be physically present with you even before it begins.

• The following will be provided to you:
• Expert physicians and surgeons
• Transparent communication
• Coordinated assistance
• Prior appointment with specialists
• Assistance with hospital formalities
• 24*7 availability
• Travel arrangements
• Assistance for accommodation and healthy recovery
• Assistance in emergencies

Our team is dedicated to offering the highest quality health tourism and care to our patients. We have a team of highly qualified and devoted health professionals that will assist you throughout your journey.