The surgical procedure for cochlear implants

Surgery is required to insert the internal part of the implant system. The procedure is carefully designed to ensure a less invasive surgery. The implant is simply placed under the skin and fixed using screws. Next, the electrode array is carefully inserted into the cochlea.

Implant surgery is performed under general anesthesia and usually takes no more than two hours. It normally requires hospitalization for one to three days. Inserting a cochlear implant presents the same risks as any other ear surgery.

Until the sound processor is put on and activated, patients will not be able to hear. This usually happens around one month after leaving hospital. This time is needed to recover from the anesthesia and for the scar covering the incision to heal, which can take several weeks.