A cochlear implant is a sophisticated hearing aid which requires an operation. There are risks are associated with this 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
• Facial Palsy, which causes a weakness of one side of the face, 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 is uncommon, but if it occurs may require re-implantation of a new implant.