Cochlear implants
The inner ear or cochlea is a tiny shell-shaped cavity located between your ears that is responsible for processing sound waves and transmitting them to your brain. Cochlear implants are hearing aids that are placed within a poorly functioning cochlea in order to improve your hearing.
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What is it for?
To help people who are profoundly deaf or severely hard of hearing
Treatment overview
The inner ear or cochlea is a tiny shell-shaped cavity located between your ears that is responsible for processing sound waves and transmitting them to your brain. Cochlear implants are hearing aids that are placed within a poorly functioning cochlea in order to improve your hearing.
While ordinary hearing aids simply amplify sound waves so that you can hear better, a cochlear implant receives sound signals and then converts them into electrical signals. Because cochlear implants don’t need your inner ear to work properly in order to transmit sound waves to your brain, they are most common in people who are profoundly deaf or severely hard of hearing.
Cochlear implants consist of two parts:
The first part, called a receiver, sits in the bone just behind your ear and receives sound signals that it then converts into electrical signals.
The second part, called an electrode array, is placed in your inner ear and transmits these electric signals to your auditory nerve so that your brain can process them.
Having a cochlear implant fitted – what to expect
The operation to fit a cochlear implant takes between two and five hours and is performed under general anaesthetic.
The operation involves your surgeon making an incision in the back of your head where they will then create a small bed within the mastoid bone behind your ear that will hold the receiver. Next, your surgeon will place the electrode array inside your inner ear.
Your surgeon will test the receiver and electrode array to check that they are working correctly before securing the receiver to your skull and then closing the incision using dissolvable stitches. Recovering from the operation
When you come out of surgery, you’ll have a pack inside your ear to prevent germs from getting into your ear canal, as well as a large bandage around your ear.
Because the operation to fit a cochlear implant is complex and requires several hours in the operating theatre, you’ll need to stay the night in hospital once you’ve woken up after surgery.
The bandage around your head will need to be changed after about two days and the pack in your ear will need to be removed by your doctor or surgeon about a week after the operation.
Side effects of having a cochlear implant
A common side effect of having a cochlear implant is nausea as a result of the anaesthetic. Because the inner ear is responsible for balance, you may feel dizzy and you may also experience tinnitus. These side effects are temporary and should subside within a week of the operation.
Why choose The London Clinic
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The London Clinic, in collaboration with Northwestern Medicine, operate as teams of experts with world-class resources, dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of care. Surrounded by the latest treatments and advice, you’ll have everything you need to get back to your best health. Our patient rooms are designed for your comfort, while our catering team, in collaboration with expert dietitians, provide healthy, delicious meals to support your recovery.
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Exceptional patient care is a way of life for us. Our teams will be with you every step of the way, tailoring your care to your specific needs and giving you the peace-of-mind that comes with knowing you’re in the best hands. To provide exceptional care, we keep our staff-to-patient ratio low, so our nurses, clinicians, therapists, and support teams can offer a personalised, quality experience. You’ll notice the difference.
Effortlessly simple
We work together as one to guide you through every step of your patient experience. From explaining your personal treatment plan to ensuring all details are taken care of, we make the process stress-free, so you can focus on your health. Whether it’s your first consultation or follow-up care, our teams are here to provide seamless support and the peace of mind you deserve
What's included in your package?
Choosing The London Clinic means your treatment plan will be laid out for you, with all the details taken care of so you can focus on you.
Your treatment package will include:
- Enhanced pre-admission assessment
- Your treatment with our complete care team at your fingertips
- Personalised aftercare and follow-up
We want you to be in control of your health. That’s why we also offer optional services such as comprehensive recovery packages and extra touches for you to choose from during your stay with us. To help you manage the cost, we also offer a 0% finance option, allowing you to spread the payments for your treatment over 12 months with no added interest. Learn more about our finance options here.
How to pay
- You can use private medical insurance (PMI) to access this treatment. We work with all major PMI providers in the UK and many internationally
- You can pay for yourself (self-pay)
- If you’re paying for yourself, we have 0% finance options available with Chrysalis. Find out more here.