Cochlear Implant Care Maintenance

Care  & Maintainance   

One of the most important parts of maintenance is to wear your cochlear implant as much as possible during waking hours. This ensures you are learning how to use your cochlear implant, getting used to different hearing environments, and noticing any changes in sound quality. These changes in sound quality could mean a part of your cochlear implant requires maintenance or repair.

Another important part of maintenance is making sure that the external parts of your cochlear implant remain clean. You should frequently check the external parts of your cochlear implant for damage, dirt, and/or moisture. If these parts need cleaning, first clean your hands, and then clean the parts with a dry, non-abrasive cloth. Be careful to always protect and cover your cochlear implant when using hairspray or another product.

Some parts of your cochlear implant will require replacement. You will need to replace your microphone protectors or covers about once every three months. If you live in a higher-humidity environment, sweat frequently, or notice changes in sound quality, you will need to replace them more often. You will also need to frequently replace the batteries in your processor.

Because most cochlear implants are not waterproof, you need to keep your cochlear implant dry. This can sometimes be difficult if you live in a very hot and humid place. If your cochlear implant gets wet (even through humidity), use a desiccation system or drying system, which removes moisture. Desiccation systems are called different names depending on your manufacturer and brand, but some examples are Dry & Store,TM Drying Kit,TM Dry Box,TM or Dry Brik.TM