Activation of the implant and recovery :
The day after the surgery, and for approximately 2 weeks (recovery at home).
Starting the day after the surgery, the person will begin to hear sounds with the external part. However, speech will probably not be clear at this point. Sounds may not be pleasant at first. Some people will need to learn—and others relearn—how to hear with this new device. The person will need to get used to new sounds, an adjustment process that takes time. This requires patience and perseverance on the part of the implant user, who also needs to remember that adjustments will be made during the intensive initial programming.
To help the patient adapt to the cochlear implant and increase their likelihood of continuing with the process (intensive initial programming and intensive functional rehabilitation), the sound processor must be worn all day, from morning to night, for the two-week recovery period. So as not to hinder progress with the implant, the patient must not wear their hearing aid in the non-operated ear during this period. It is also the patient’s responsibility to follow the audiologist’s recommendations to the letter in terms of program testing.
(3 days)
Once the recovery period is over, three days will be spent adjusting the external part of the implant; this is known as the “intensive initial programming” period. This mandate is given to the CHU de Québec-UL by the MSSS and is done at L'Hôtel-Dieu de Québec.
Planning your visit at the CHU de Québec, L'Hôtel-Dieu de Québec.
(12 weeks for children and maximum of 8-10 weeks for adults)
Following the intensive initial programming in Quebec City, Intensive Functional Rehabilitation (IFR) is required to develop and optimize the new hearing brought by the cochlear implant. Users in certain areas can obtain IFR services from their regional rehabilitation centers. Otherwise, you will receive IFR services in Quebec, at the CIUSSS of the Capitale-Nationale -IRDPQ.