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Cochlear Implant Surgery/Rehabilitation Cochlear implant surgery is performed under general
anesthesia. Through an incision behind the ear, the bone behind the
ear (mastoid bone) is opened to gain access to the cochlea. The thin
wire of the internal unit is inserted into the cochlea. The receiver/stimulator
is secured in a shallow bed surgically created in the mastoid bone.
The procedure takes approximately 1.5 hours. Surgery is typically performed
in an outpatient setting.
Approximately, four weeks after surgery, patients return to the implant center
to begin the process of fitting the outer portion of the device. This process
involves programming the speech processor to meet each person's individual
hearing needs. Programming the speech processor typically requires several
appointments. The frequency of these visits will vary from patient to patient. |