Life with a cochlear implant

Communication

You can use accessories or Bluetooth® technology to directly connect your cochlear implant system to devices, e.g. your telephone or the television. Simply ask your audiologist to set the dedicated programme to your favourite entertainment systems.

Travelling

Travelling by land, sea or air is not a problem with a cochlear implant. When travelling by plane, you should switch off the external part of your implant system during take-off and landing, just like with any other electronic equipment.

When travelling abroad, always take your implant identification card with you. This will explain how your cochlear implant will be affected should you need medical treatment.

Airport security

When passing through security, it is recommended that you show your implant identification card and switch off the sound processor. Security gates produce a strong electromagnetic field that can momentarily disrupt the sound perceived. Your sound processor may also trigger the gate detector.

Playing sports

You can take part in sports with your cochlear implant, but you may need to take some precautions. As a general rule, remember to keep your sound processor dry and free of any sand or dust, and be sure to avoid any direct impact affecting the implant area. Your implantation centre can provide you with more specific instructions. In the first few weeks after your implantation, you should be especially careful. 

Read more about sports

Medical examinations

Certain medical procedures such as MRI or CT scans, X-rays or even ultrasound require special care, but they do not present any risk to you or your implant. You should always remove your sound processor before medical examinations. Before an MRI examination, you need to fill out an MRI request form. 

Extreme conditions

Your sound processor contains high-performance electronic components, which need to be protected from extreme conditions such as dust, humidity, mechanical vibrations and impact. If you live in an area with high humidity or dust, accessories such as the electrical desiccant system or the clip-on cover may be useful. Remember to always remove your sound processor before bathing or showering.