Significant Risks

There are significant risks associated with cochlear implant surgery. They are infrequent (less than 1%), but very important to consider. 

Dizziness 

The vestibular system (“balance centre”) is located deep inside the ear and is directly connected to the cochlea. Patients can experience balance issues or vertigo for weeks or months following even routine surgeries. 

Change in Taste 

The chorda tympani nerve controls taste centres on the front of your tongue and is located very near the electrode insertion site at the cochlea (branch of the facial nerve).  Severe damage to the chorda tympani nerve during surgery can result in permanent loss of taste.

General Anesthesia 

Surgery under general anesthetic is very common, and is a standard practice for most major surgery, however there are inherent health risks associated with general anesthetic. Any patients with additional health concerns will receive a PAC assessment prior to surgery.

Bleeding & Wound Infection 

The surgical area is closed with stitches (a small permanent scar may result) and the head is bandaged, hence slight bleeding may occur post-surgery.  Infection most commonly occurs at the incision site, and can cause pain, fever, inflammation or drainage from the wound. Patients who experience these side effects after surgery may require additional medical intervention or antibiotic treatment to resolve bleeding and infection complications. 

Meningitis 

The hole needed to insert the electrode array into the cochlea presents an opportunity for an infection to directly access the brain. For this reason, pre-operative vaccinations are highly recommended. 

Facial Nerve Injury 

The facial nerve controls the muscles of the face and is located very near the electrode insertion site at the cochlea. Severe damage to the facial nerve during surgery can result in permanent loss of muscle control over one side of the face. 

Internal Device Failure 

The cochlear implant is an electronic device and can fail internally over time. In these cases, patients are considered for re-implantation.

Imaging Studies 

The presence of an internal magnet in the implant makes post-operative MRI scanning difficult. In some cases, the magnet must be surgically removed before a scan can take place.