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Sub Menu || Thinking about a Cochlear Implant? || Assesment || The Operation || After the Operation - Risks || Programming & Rehabilitation || Results || Life with A Cochlear Implant |YCIS - Children - The Operation
The Operation
The cochlear implant operation is performed under a general anaesthetic, which means the patient will be asleep.
This is what happens during the operation itself:
- a small area of hair behind the ear may be shaved - this will grow back later
- a cut is made behind the ear
- a small bed is drilled in the bone to fit the implant
- the electrode array is placed in the cochlea and is tested to make sure it is working
- the opening in the skin is then sewn up using dissolvable stitches.
Antibiotics are given during and after surgery to reduce the chance of infection. Before going home, an X-ray is used to check the position of the implant.
The stay in hospital is usually a couple of days. It is advised that the child does not attend nursery or school for about two weeks following the operation.