What can happen if the cochlear implants get wet?
ANSWER
Some parts of the device can get damaged if they get wet. You need to take off the speech processor before you bathe, shower, or swim. You also can cover that part with a waterproof case or choose a waterproof cochlear implant processor. Rarely, the implant may stop working, and you’d need surgery to fix the problem.
Reviewed by Brandon Isaacson on August 30, 2020
SOURCES:
Merck Manual: "Hearing Loss and Deafness."
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders: "NIDCD Fact Sheet: Cochlear Implants."
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association: "Cochlear Implants."
FDA: "Benefits and Risks of Cochlear Implants," "Cochlear Implants: Before, During and After Surgery."
SOURCES:
Merck Manual: "Hearing Loss and Deafness."
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders: "NIDCD Fact Sheet: Cochlear Implants."
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association: "Cochlear Implants."
FDA: "Benefits and Risks of Cochlear Implants," "Cochlear Implants: Before, During and After Surgery."
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