Cochlear Implant

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How it is implanted

Surgery for inserting a cochlear implant is performed with the patient fully asleep. An incision is made behind the ear, sometimes after shaving a portion of the hair behind the ear. A microscope and bone drill are used to open the bone behind the ear (mastoid bone) to allow the internal part of the implant to be inserted.

The electrode array is then passed into the cochlea (inner ear). The receiver is placed into a "well" created behind the ear to help keep it in place, and to make sure it is close enough to the skin to allow transmission of electrical information from the external portion of the device.

After surgery, there will be stitches behind the ear, and you may be able to feel the receiver in its "well" behind the ear. Any shaved hair should grow back. The external portion of the device will be placed about 3 to 4 weeks after surgery, to give the incision time to heal.