Cochlear Implants

Cochlear Implants

Evaluation
Surgery
Follow-Up

Follow-Up

Following surgery, you will return home for four weeks to allow time for swelling and soreness to subside and the incision to heal. After several days, the incision may be wet during bathing or showering.

Device Programming

The externally worn speech processor is activated about four weeks after surgery. The processor converts speech into a special code for each user. The activation and programming is performed at the implant center. Programming for each implant is customized for the patient and takes about six hours over a two-day period.

Testing

You will be asked to return to the UCSF Douglas Grant Cochlear Implant Center at regular intervals for device checks and re-evaluation. During these visits, the implant and equipment are checked and performance is measured. Re-testing generally occurs at one, three and six months and one year following the initial device fitting.

Then, semi-annual or annual evaluations are performed. Each session for adults involves about three hours. For children, testing may take more time and require consecutive visits.

Outcomes

Benefit from a cochlear implant usually improves with time but can't be guaranteed. Rehabilitation after surgery is key to maximizing the benefits of the cochlear implant. Most people with these implants are able to engage in hearing activities, such as listening to a Walkman, enjoying a movie, using a phone and participating in social activities.

• Use the device during all waking hours
• Listen, speak and interact with others as much as possible
• Utilize visual cues when adjusting to the implant, but gradually decrease the use of visual cues when ready
• Ask others to identify unfamiliar sounds so they become familiar

For more information or to make an appointment at the center, please contact the Douglas Grant Cochlear Implant Center at (415) 353-2464 or at implant@itsa.ucsf.edu.

Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Medical Center.
Last updated July 11, 2007