Your cochlear implant is designed to be safe and effective. However there are some important safety considerations that cochlear implant users should be aware of. Read the sections below for more information.
Safety Advice
Find out about the specific safety advice that is relevant for your implant type...
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MRI Scanning
There is important information you must know if you need to have an MRI scan...
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Skin Health
Keeping the skin around your processor and magnet healthy is really important...
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Your cochlear implant is designed to be safe and effective. However, there are several medical procedures and activities that may pose a risk of harm to the device or to the cochlear implant user. Therefore it is important to follow the manufacturer’s safety advice for your cochlear implant. If you have any questions regarding cochlear implant safety please contact the clinic.
The British Cochlear Implant Group have put together safety guidelines from the four manufacturers of cochlear implants. Please see the links below for more details, specific to your cochlear implant.
Depending on what type of cochlear implant you have, it can be possible to have an MRI scan. The oldest cochlear implants are not safe for MRI scans. Other types of cochlear implants are compatible with MRI scans as long as safety guidelines are followed. Some implants require a head bandage to be wrapped around the implant to keep it secure.
It is very important the clinicians responsible for your MRI scan know which type of implant you have. Therefore, make sure to let your clinicians know you have a cochlear implant and for them to contact us. You can also contact us directly if you have any queries.
Getting an MRI with a cochlear implant involves some risks, including risk of pain from the applied head bandage. The British Cochlear Implant Group have put together a leaflet which outlines these risks.
Watch this video from the British Cochlear Implant Group for BSL information on having an MRI with a cochlear implant.
Once you have had your MRI we would like you to fill in a questionnaire on your experience. This is to help centres across the UK monitor how scans have gone for cochlear implant users. We aim to email this to you following your scan but you can also use the link below. If you need a paper copy, please contact us.
It is really important that you take care of the skin around your implant. The British Cochlear Implant Group (BCIG) have produced this leaflet to help you check your skin and keep it in good condition.
You can also watch this video from BCIG to get tips on how to check your implant site.