Wait 1 month after the surgery before resuming sports activities.
Wear a helmet
For all activities involving a risk of falls or blows to the head.
Wearing a helmet reduces the risk of damaging the cochlear implant (internal part). However, if a blow is received to the head, the risk of internal damage remains present despite the protection. Some helmets favor pressure points on the front and back rather than on the sides of the head, which may help reduce the pressure on the coil.
Baseball
Wear a batter’s helmet at all times.
Soccer
Avoid bouncing the ball off of your head. The use of a protective shell headband is recommended. The custom headband can be done by an orthotist specialist.
Cycling
A bicycle helmet will protect the implant provided it covers the coil, and thereby the internal part. If the microphone is integrated to the coil (depending on the sound processor model), the helmet could hinder your hearing. Thus, one can install mirrors on the helmet or on the handlebars of the bicycle.
The use of a FM system may also be interesting. This system transmits the voices directly to the sound processor. For more information, speak to your audiologist.
Skateboarding, Using a scooter or Rollerblading
Wearing a helmet is recommended.
Winter sports
The wearing of a protective helmet is recommended when skating, snowboarding and skiing. Choose a fabric toque which will keep your head warm while avoiding excessive sweating. Many styles are available in sports specialty shops.
Furthermore, the sound processor must be protected from the cold. Wear the body-worn processor under your clothes and protect the behind-the-ear processor with a toque when exposed to cold over long periods of time.
Contact sports : Boxing, Wrestling, Football, Karate
The practice of these sports is not recommended, unless you wear a highly resistant helmet. Please consult your surgeon before taking up again any of these activities.
Extreme sports : Parachuting, Bungee jumping
These sports are not recommended. However, if a cochlear implant user decides to partake in them, the use of a helmet is essential and the processor must be removed. The helmet should leave enough space so as not to apply direct pressure on the area of the internal part. These helmets will reduce the force of an impact but will obviously not protect the implant from a major blow. In any case, a person who was recently implanted (within the past year) shouldn’t participate in these activities without the prior authorization from their surgeon.
Jogging, Tennis, Badminton
Wear a headband to absorb sweat.
Walking outside
Wear a hat, hooded jacket or carry an umbrella when it's raining or snowing.