11/15/2025
Frequently Asked Questions About Cochlear Implants (edited from MedEl FAQ)
1. Can I Swim While Wearing My Audio Processor?
Yes! Swimming with your audio processor is possible with the use of WaterWear. WaterWear is a reusable, fully waterproof cover that offers great sound quality with your audio processor so that you can enjoy all the water-related activities you love.
2. Is It Safe to Swim Without My Audio Processor?
If you choose, you can also swim without your audio processor, but be sure to pay extra attention to your surroundings. Most cochlar implants have a means for waterproffing while swimming.
3. If I Receive One Cochlear Implant, Should I Wear My Hearing Aid on the Other Ear?
Yes. If you have been fitted with a hearing aid on your contralateral ear, it that you continue to wear your hearing aid as well as your CI. Having access to sound with both ears offers better speech understanding in noise and better ability to localize sounds.
4. Will I Be Able to Enjoy Music Again?
Many cochlear implant recipients enjoy music with their audio processors. Appreciating and listening to music with your audio processor may take time and practice, but we have tools to help. There are online training platforms you can use. You can also find other tips and materials for music.
5. Will the Sound From the Cochlear Implant Sound Normal?
Sound from a cochlear implant will not sound exactly like typical hearing or hearing from your hearing aid, especially in the first hours and days after activation. Your brain will need time to adjust to the new signals it’s receiving from the cochlear implant.
Some cochlear implant recipients comment that, at first, their cochlear implants sound high-pitched or like a cartoon character. This is often because they have not heard high-frequency sounds for a long time and can suddenly hear much more acoustic information! Your brain will adjust to the sounds from your cochlear implant in time. The more you wear your audio processor, the faster your brain will be able to adjust to these new sounds. Cochlear implant systems which use long electrodes tend to offer a closer to natural hearing experience. This is because they use long electrodes and sound coding that mimic how natural hearing works.
6. Will I Still Be Able to Wash and Color My Hair?
Yes, of course! After your stitches have been removed and your surgery wound has healed completely, you can wash and color your hair as normal. If irritation occurs at the site of the wound or at the magnet site, always talk with your health professional.
7. Can I Go to the Sauna With a Cochlear Implant?
Go for it! But you should take off your audio processor first. This is because audio processors are designed to work between 0-50°C, whereas saunas are usually hotter than this (around 70-90°C).
8. Can I Blow-Dry My Hair With a Cochlear Implant?
Yes, but we suggest removing your audio processor first. Again, it’s about temperature: Audio processors are not designed to withstand heat over 50°C, and hair dryers can get very toasty.
9. Can I Still Lip-Read With a Cochlear Implant?
Of course! Even with assistive hearing devices, some people still find discriminating between some consonants challenging. Using lip-reading can help with this. Read more about it in this article on lip-reading.
10. Can I Talk on the Phone With a Cochlear Implant?
Connectivity options make it easy to send sound straight from your phone to your audio processor. Newer models integrate direct streaming so you don’t need any extra devices for phone calls.
11. Can I Do Sports With My Cochlear Implant?
Most sports can be done with a cochlear implant. In fact, for many non-contact sports, you can keep your audio processor on—though you might want to think about using an extra accessory to keep it in place.
Sports like horse riding, skiing, or cycling that usually require helmets are also fine for cochlear implant users.
You should avoid sports in which blows to the head are likely, so check with your hearing professional if you want to take part in a contact sport like judo or karate.
12. Can I Have Medical Procedures With a Cochlear Implant?
Most common medical procedures are possible with a cochlear implant, as long as you follow certain guidelines. Newer models of Cis are usually MRI approved, with conditions. The manufacturers can provide details for the technicians.
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