Cochlear Implants Side Effects and Warnings

Possible Complications

Complications are rare, but no procedure is completely free of risk. If you are planning to have an implant, your doctor will review a list of possible complications, which may include:

• Infection
• Damage to nearby nerves
• Problems with balance
• Emotional distress due to higher expectations than the technology can achieve
• Poor quality of hearing following the surgery

Some factors that may increase the risk of complications include:

• Previous surgery
• Previous ear infections
• Abnormal anatomy

Call Your Doctor

After you leave the hospital, contact your doctor if any of the following occurs:

• Pain

• Dizziness or vomiting

• Facial paralysis or twitching

• Signs of infection, including fever and chills

• Redness, swelling, increasing pain, excessive bleeding, or discharge at the incision site

• Cough, shortness or breath, chest pain, or severe nausea or vomiting

In case of an emergency, CALL 911.