Audiology
I’ve had my cochlear implant surgery. What happens now?
Now you have had your cochlear implant surgery you will be sent three tuning and mapping appointments and three rehabilitation appointments.
These appointments will start approximately three weeks after the surgery. In the meantime, it is important you keep the wound and scar clean to avoid infection.
Important
Should you notice anything unusual about it such as a burning sensation, soreness, discharge or it is hot to the touch, please contact the office immediately for advice during office hours. Telephone: 01642 854068 or Email: [email protected]
It may be essential for you to be checked by one of our ENT surgeons to prevent or treat any infections which could cause further problems or delay the device switch-on.
Out of office hours
- James Cook Hospital patients
Please contact the ward where you stayed (usually ward 35) through the hospital switchboard on Tel: 01642 850850 to ask advice. - Freeman Hospital patients
Please attend local A&E, GP or walk in centre who will contact the on-call registrar at Freeman Hospital.
Switch-on appointment
This approximately 3 weeks after the operation. This is when the sound processor
(worn on the outside) is connected to the internal implant to introduce some stimulation.
Why do I have to wait three weeks?
This is to give you enough time to recover from your surgery and for the wound to heal properly. There is usually some swelling around the implant site which can take a few weeks to settle down. This is important as it could affect the wearing of the coil or headpiece. This would make it difficult for the sound processor to send the signals to the implant.
What happens in the ‘switch on’ appointment?
The audiologist will check the implant site. Your external sound processor will then be connected to the computer which allows the audiologist to start tuning. The audiologist carries out a quick test of the electrodes to make sure that these are all working fine. There are occasions, although rare, where electrodes may have to be disabled. If this occurs, your audiologist will explain this to you in more detail.
Once this is done, the audiologist starts the mapping or tuning. This is the process of converting acoustical speech signals into electrical stimulation. To measure this, the stimulation will be presented as beeps where you will either be asked to count the number of beeps that you hear or to rate their loudness.
The audiologist will then switch it on to live mode and you will begin to hear sounds around you. To start with, what you hear may just be noises. It will take a while for your brain to adapt to the sound of your cochlear implant.
During the first session, the audiologist will focus on making sure the sound is comfortable. Most people start with a low level of stimulation in this first appointment. Your audiologist will gradually increase your levels over time as you get used to your implant.
As your levels increase, the sounds will become more natural and start to make more sense.
How often do I need to see the audiologist for tuning?
This will vary for every patient, depending on how quickly the levels stabilise but you should expect to have more frequent tunings within the first year of having a cochlear implant.
The standard guideline we follow is as below:
| Switch on | Three weeks after your operation |
| 2nd tuning | One week after switch on appointment |
| 3rd tuning | Three weeks after switch on appointment |
| 3 month review | Three months after switch on appointment |
| 6 month review | Six months after switch on appointment |
| 12 month review | One year after switch on appointment |
| 24 month review | 2 years after switch on appointment |
| Annual review | You will be invited for review every year by post. Or you may prefer to have a booked appointment sent every year. |
The number and frequency of your tuning appointments will depend on clinical need which will be decided by your audiologist. Some patients may require more tuning appointments than others.
Once the audiologist is satisfied with the stability of your map and tuning, you may no longer be required to attend tuning appointments every year.
We will generally send a letter on an annual basis inviting you to contact us should you feel you need a face to face appointment. However, you can always contact us before this if you feel an appointment is needed.
What is involved in the rehabilitation sessions?
The aim of these sessions is to help you get the maximum benefit from your cochlear implant. We will set appropriate aims for you and may give you work to do at home to achieve these.
Some of the things we may do include:
- Counselling and support
- Listening to speech in quiet and noise
- Introduction to environmental sounds
- Use of environmental aids
Telephone practice if and when appropriate
How many rehabilitation sessions do I have?
Everyone will be offered a minimum of seven sessions in the first year of implantation. More rehabilitation sessions can be arranged if you and your keyworker agree this will be beneficial.
A typical schedule may be:
- First rehabilitation session after switch-on
We will discuss your switch-on experience and what new sounds you are able to hear. We will discuss any concerns and questions you may have and agree targets for the next rehabilitation session. - One week after switch on
We will discuss your progress over the last week. We will introduce some environmental sounds to see what you can identify. New targets will be agreed for the next rehabilitation session. - Three weeks after switch on
We will discuss your progress since the last session. New targets will be agreed for the next rehabilitation session. - Six weeks after switch on
We will discuss your progress since the last session. New targets will be agreed for the next rehabilitation session. - Three months after switch on
We will send you some questionnaires to complete and bring to this appointment. We will discuss the progress you have made. New targets will be agreed for the next rehabilitation session. - Six months after switch on
- We will send you some questionnaires to complete and bring to this appointment. We will discuss the progress you have made. New targets will be agreed for the next rehabilitation session.
- One year after switch on
We will send you some questionnaires to complete and bring to this appointment. We will discuss the progress you have made overall and any support you may need going forward.
What do I do if I have any problems?
For any queries or concerns about your cochlear implant, please contact us by phone, text, e-mail or letter and we will try our best to answer your questions.
Contact us
- Telephone: 01642 854068
Text only: 07903 594137
Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 4.30pm
Email: [email protected] - Ward 35
Telephone: 01642 854535 or 01642 856336
Email: [email protected]
Patient experience
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust would like your feedback. If you wish to share your experience about your care and treatment or on behalf of a patient, please contact The Patient Experience Department who will advise you on how best to do this.
This service is based at The James Cook University Hospital but also covers the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton, our community hospitals and community health services.
To ensure we meet your communication needs please inform the Patient Experience Department of any special requirements, for example; braille or large print.
T: 01642 835964
E: [email protected]