Life After a Cochlear Implant Surgery

A cochlear implant can provide hope for children with moderate to severe hearing problems. This complex device, made up of a microphone, speech processor, transmitter receiver, and an array of electrodes, can give a representation of sound and the opportunity to understand speech to many. While most families would jump at the opportunity to give their little ones the chance to hear, it’s important to understand what must be done after the implant surgery to ensure the transition into hearing is smooth and swift.

Immediate Effects

Like most surgical procedures, a cochlear implant surgery will have immediate effects on the body. Most patients will exhibit instant outcomes, such as pressure on the ear, dizziness, nausea, disorientation, and sore throats. It’s important to understand that there will be many things to do immediately after the surgery.

Your child will have to keep his or her bandages and stitches for a while and should follow a strict cleaning regimen to keep the sensitive area from infecting. Your child will not be able to hear immediately after the operation, but will instead have to wait anywhere from 3-6 weeks in order for the device to be turned on.

Learning to Hear

As a parent, we know you want to be involved in everything your child does, and the process of programming a cochlear implant is no exception. A professional audiologist can make the most out of teaching your child to get used to the implant if a parent is around to assist and make him or her feel as comfortable as possible. During the programming process, audiologists will adjust the sound processor to make sure it fits your child flawlessly.

Speech therapists and pathologists from the highly-trained staff of Hope Therapy Center in McAllen can then work with your child to take them through the hearing process at their own pace. The learning process can be lengthy and rough, but a team effort from our professionals can help learning to hear become a fun experience through exercises such as making noises with your child to help them become familiar with them, or talking about things we do on an everyday basis while they are performed.

Hope is Here

Auditory problems can pose a tough challenge for any parent, but know that you are not alone. Hope Therapy Center is determined to be by your child’s side through the journey to hearing. For more information about our services, contact our offices in McAllen today.