Side effects
Postoperative cares
Precautions
Contraindications
Emergencies

Side effects

• You may experience light bleeding in the nose or throat during the week following surgery. This is normal and should stop in the following days.

• Some postoperative symptoms may occur, including: dizziness, tinnitus, change in taste (refer to information document "From Surgery to Programming" for more details).
   

Postoperative cares

• All patients have dissolving sutures. Do not remove them, they will fall out on their own over time (this can take a few weeks).

• Wash hair as usual 5 days after surgery, to ensure good hygiene.

• Remove small diachylons behind the ear (recoating bandages) 7-10 days after surgery.

Precautions

• Return to school (or daycare) : allowed after 7 days, but must sit out from recess and gym class.

• Driving a car : wait 1 week after surgery.

• Physical effort and sports activities : wait 1 month after surgery. Avoid blows to the head.

• Avoid blowing your nose too hard the month after surgery. Never block your nose while sneezing.

• Permanents and hair colouring: wait 1 month after surgery.

• Hair clipper: wait 3 months after surgery.

• Flying: Wait 1 month after surgery for recreational flights.

• Water in the ears: wait 1 month after surgery.

• Bathing with head under water: wait 2 months after surgery.

Contraindications

• Examinations and treatments to avoid : electrosurgery, electromagnetic diathermy, electroconvulsive therapy, monopolar electrical cauterization, use of ultrasonic dental scaler.

• Precautions to take with other treatments : 

  • Ultrasound diathermy, TENS (transcutaneous neurostimulator), ionizing radiation therapy, electrolysis and electro-acupuncture : administer only below the shoulders and remove the external part (sound processor).

  • Laser (eye surgery and hair removal) : the beam must never be directed towards or near the implant site.

  • Magnetic resonance (MRI) and radiotherapy : possible only after consulting the surgeon at the Centre québécois d’expertise en implant cochléaire in order to determine the feasibility and necessary precautions to take. Avoid entering a room equipped with an MRI machine.

Emergencies

• In case of an emergency, contact your surgeon at CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Hôtel-Dieu de Québec at 418-691-5490 or 418-691-5420. Evenings and weekends, contact the ENT physician on call at 418-525-4444.