A cochlear implant is a sophisticated hearing aid which requires an operation. The risks associated with this are as follows.

• Infection is possible but antibiotics are given to reduce this.
• Bleeding can occassionally occur with formation of a haematoma (blood clot) under the skin - during the operation every attempt is made to reduce this risk
  
• Loss of taste can occur as the nerve of taste can cross the operative field. Moving the nerve can result in a metallic type of taste. This usually settles with time. A complet loss of sensation is unusual.
• Facial Palsy, which causes a weakness of one side of the face, this rarely happens as the nerve function is monitored during surgery
• Balance disturbance and tinnitus are problems that some patients already have - any balance problems or tinnitus related to surgery should soon settle
• Device failure in the longer term is a recognised issue. Fortunatley, when it has occured it can be replaced.

To-date we have not experienced any major complications during surgery or in the early post-operative phase.