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Programming & Rehabilitation
The surgery (the operation itself) is only one part of fitting a cochlear implant. The external parts of the implant have to be fitted and programmed and the child or young person has to learn how to use it. This page contain information about what happens in the weeks and months following the operation.
Operation Parents are advised that children will need about two weeks away from nursery or school. The external parts of the cochlear implant will be fitted approximately one month after the operation to allow the site of the surgery to heal.
The Centre maintains close contact with the family through Programming Appointments with the Clinical Scientist at the centre and visits made to home and school by the Teacher of the Deaf and Speech and Language Therapist.
Initial Programming takes place at the Centre. The external parts of the cochlear implant are fitted by the Clinical Scientist. The programming of the speech processor is started. It is important to note that this will be the first of many programming sessions before the processor is set up optimally. The child may not respond to sound for weeks or indeed months. A medical consultation is also completed at this time to check the site of the surgery.
Programming & Assessment Over the following month and years programming continues. The total number of appointments depends upon each child or young person. Gradually they will adapt to each new listening experence. Hearing tests will be completed on a regular basis.
Rehabilitation & Assessment The week following the initial programming the Teacher of the Deaf visits both home and school to provide information for all carers involved and to offer immediate support. The Teacher of the Deaf is usually the 'key worker' for the child. Over a period of years home and school visits are made by the Teacher of the Deaf and on occasion the Speech and Language Therapist to offer further advice and to ensure that the child is gaining optimum benefit from the cochlear implant.
Annual Review Clinic Every year each family attends our Centre for a medical consultation. Annual assessments are also completed by the Clinical Scientist, Teacher of the Deaf and Speech and Language Therapist.