This document is a survey conducted by the Cochlear Implant Group in the United Kingdom among members of the country’s cochlear implant community. It provides information on what cochlear implant users should be aware of in their daily lives so that they can use their cochlear implants with maximum safety and minimum risk of harm. It may not cover all of the problems that cochlear implant users face; however, it can provide solutions to general problems.
Every cochlear implant user should read the manufacturer’s instructions and the cochlear implant clinician should provide advice on living with the cochlear implant, but… remember, with a few precautions, most cochlear implant users can live as normal people do. Although some of the reported data may seem disappointing to cochlear implant users, if this advice is taken into account, the risk factors encountered in the future will be greatly reduced.
Participation in sports and competitions
While there is a general knowledge and understanding of sports safety, there are a few recommendations that need to be made for the specific physiology of cochlear implants.
Safe activities and non-impact sports (e.g., tennis, golf, badminton, jogging, cricket)
For these sports, it is best to hide the long cord and the speech processor under clothing and to pack the processor properly in a bag to avoid contamination from impact, sweat, and mud.
Intense sports (e.g., soccer, basketball, squash)
If you want to engage in these types of sports, it is best to remove the external language processor for safety.
Body-slamming sports (e.g., boxing, taekwondo)
Cochlear implant users should avoid these types of sports, as injuries from heavy blows or crushing of the head are bound to occur. Other sports, such as field hockey and rugby, can be played with the speech processor removed and with protective equipment such as a game helmet, but there is still a risk of blows to the head.
Recommended sports that require protective equipment such as safety helmets (for example, cycling, horseback riding and water sports)
All of these sports can be played and it is necessary to wear protective equipment such as a helmet in order to protect the cochlear implant from the risk of being crushed and hit. Helmets and other protective equipment must be of good quality to protect the cochlear implant.
Gymnastics
You should be careful when participating in gymnastics and wear protective equipment such as a helmet for safety. Once again, it is still necessary to take down the external language processor and wiring.
Swimming, streamside play, snorkeling, deep sea diving and other water sports
Most water sports are allowed as long as the external speech processor is removed. The headgear part of the frog goggle should be secured in such a way that it does not press on the implant area, avoiding discomfort from too tight a fit. Others, such as driving a boat or canoe, should also be equipped with safety helmets for safety.
Some cochlear implant users have a poor sense of balance and should never be allowed to go into the water alone. When diving underwater, they may lose their sense of direction and space, so professional instruction is required on how to navigate the water surface.
Both snorkeling and deep diving involve a certain degree of risk. The water pressure and the heavy equipment required for diving can cause injury to the user. It is important to inform cochlear implant users of this information in advance.
Participation in roller coasters, bungee jumping, skiing on artificial ski slopes, etc.
There are no sources of information about the additional risks associated with cochlear implant users participating in these activities. If a cochlear implant user decides to participate in such activities, please remove the external speech processor to prevent damage to the machine if it is dislodged.
Virtual Reality Experiences
This type of activity is recognized as safe, but users must be aware that it is important to prevent heavy pressure on the implant area.
Gym bicycle
Check that the gym equipment is grounded, otherwise static electricity may cause damage to the speech processor and it is best to remove the processor before participating. (This section is covered in a separate article)
External language processor damage
Please remember to keep the processor dry and protected from sand or dust.
Laser shooting activity (aiming lasers at each other, with sensors on the suit)
This part of the activity is mainly due to the risk of static electricity in the clothing material (Nylons), which will be described later, and it is recommended to remove the speech processor and the connection cable. Another is not to press the implant when wearing protective glasses.
Electromagnetic interference (please don’t worry too much about this issue)
This is a temporary phenomenon that will not cause damage to the cochlear implant or harm the user’s ear.
This is a temporary phenomenon that does not cause damage to the cochlear implant or harm to the user’s ear. It often occurs under high-voltage power lines or in close proximity to television stations or radio transmitters (within two kilometers) in general environments where there are many radio transmitters: cab call systems, fire and rescue systems. Radio interference can also come from cellular phone systems, and some report interference as close as two meters to the phone, so cochlear implant users need to confirm whether interference will be caused before purchasing a phone.
In some cases, interference can come from computer amplifiers, wireless remote control vehicles, and other sources. This does not necessarily cause damage to the cochlear implant, but it can cause the machine to be used improperly.
Static electricity problems
Most of the problems associated with cochlear implant use come from static electricity.
There are two main causes of static electricity problems: the first is the most frequent loss of the current diagram, which can be re-filled by going directly to the surgery center. The second is the rare occurrence of damage to the implant, with a few reports of children playing on plastic slides.
Static electricity is all around us and there are some preventive measures that can be taken to reduce this problem.
Children’s plastic toy playgrounds (e.g., slides, crawl tunnels, ball pools, small castles)
When children will enter the playground before playing, please remove the language processor equipment for children, only shut down is not enough or there will be static electricity into the language processor, damaging the current map.
School science learning
When electrostatic experiments are being conducted, please remove the processor all equipment (part of the natural science curriculum).
Never use the language processor if a Vander Graaf generator is found in the school science lab, as this type of apparatus can generate very large amounts of static electricity. (High voltage, high current)
Clothing Wear
Long and short lines with the language processor, please put inside the clothes to reduce the friction of the outer clothes to generate static electricity. If it is wearing all cotton clothes is the best choice. Please remember: when the clothes are put on only when the speech processor is turned on, before taking off the clothes, please take off the speech processor, and then put on the clothes will produce the accumulation of static electricity.
Getting out of the car
When getting out of the car, in order to keep the static electricity away from the processor, when getting out of the car, adults and teenagers should keep their hands on the door until their feet step out of the ground before releasing their hands, and young children should get out of the car in the same way with the help of a parental escort.
Touch Language Processor
It can happen when your body naturally accumulates electrical charges and these charges are passed into the processor when you pick it up, two steps to prevent these events are as follows
a. When moving someone’s processor
Step 1 Touch the body of another person (to reduce the level of static electricity accumulation)
Step 2 Touch the processor equipment
b. When picking up a language processor from under the table
Step 1 Touch the table
Step 2 Pick up the processor
TV screens and computer screens
You must stop children from holding the language processor and rubbing it on the screen when appropriate. And discourage children from touching the screen. Please clean the screen at regular intervals to avoid the accumulation of static electricity on the screen.
In terms of computer screens, as long as they are “TOC compliant” since 1987, there is no problem with static electricity. (Contact the manufacturer of the computer you purchased)
If you have an older screen, there is less risk, but it is still recommended to add a static screen device. If you need to use a touch screen, it is recommended to use a pencil with an eraser, and use the eraser end to replace your fingertips.
Balloons
Cochlear implant users should avoid rubbing the balloon to avoid electrostatic reactions that may cause loss of current in the processor.
Thunderstorm areas
a. If a cochlear implant user is outside in a thunderstorm, please stay away from metal facilities and take down your speech processor, as it is a metal object.
b. If children are unhappy during a thunderstorm, the main reason is that the loud sound of thunder can cause a lot of noise. Therefore, it is recommended that please take off this device during the time of thunderstorm.
Safety system
1.Merchant stores
The most common security system is that many merchant systems at the door will detect whether you buy the East system has paid? Basically, it will not cause harm to your machine, but some users will turn off the machine because they will hear a sound when passing this machine. Occasionally, this security system machine will activate, and it is best to recommend that you carry identification for your cochlear implant with you.
2. Airport Security
Some airport security measures (metal gates) use magnetic induction, which may cause your speech processor to lose its current map. There are many devices cardiac pacemakers, resulting in the inability to act. If you go through this type of system, please turn off the machine, when the language processor in the off state through the X-ray inspection equipment will not cause damage to the equipment. Please bring your open ID and instruction manual with you. Of course, your implants may activate the metal screening device, so you can request a handheld metal detector for inspection. If your airport has additional clearance equipment for people with disabilities, it is recommended that you use this equipment for security screening.
The loss of these charts can be easily re-filled at the implantation center, and if the processor fills one more chart, the other chart can be used during the period of loss. In this way you can avoid not being able to hear the normal sound during the trip.
Air travel
Please turn off your computer temporarily during takeoff or landing. (That is, when the seat belt light is displayed, a message to turn off the electronics will appear at the same time.) Because the language processor is an electronic device, it may affect the pilot. If you are traveling alone, please inform the flight attendant that you are a hearing impaired person and need their services in case of emergency.
You should also inform airport security that you are using a cochlear implant.
Personal stereos, stereos, TVs
Do not connect your speech processor directly to any electronic device, such as a Walkman or television. There is a special cable (with a special isolation device) attached to the user’s accessory that effectively isolates the AC power. As for personal Walkman powered by batteries, you can also use one of the attached connecting cables.
Medical behavior
These prior warnings are listed by Cochlear on the Cochlear Implant User ID Card. The user should carry it with them and have a photocopy at home and, in the case of children, an additional copy at school.
The following are some of the medical procedures listed below that may harm cochlear tissue or the cochlear implant facility and are intended to reduce the risk of cochlear implant use.
The following treatments require the removal of the speech processor and wiring
1. Electrosurgery
When using an electrosurgery knife, single-pole electrosurgery knives should not be used near the neck and hands (there is a spacer on the back or buttocks of the patient being operated on), and double-pole electrosurgery knives should not be used closer than two centimeters to the implant.
2.Heated physiotherapy (Therapeutic diathermy) This type of heated treatment is mainly to reduce pain, reduce joint contraction, reduce post-incision pain and speed up wound healing.
Please note that the following two types of heating treatments should not be used: short-wave and microwave heating treatments, which have a high risk of causing damage to the cochlear implant.
These treatments are mainly deep tissue heating treatments, and the people who help you with these treatments include physical therapists, nurses, dentists, and athletic trainers. In the case of ultrasound heating treatment, the heating of the tissues can be done below the head and neck area.
Neurostimulation should not be used to take physiological signals directly from the speech processor or implant, as this is likely to directly harm the cochlear tissue and implant.
4. Electro-convulsive therapy
This is an applied electric current to stimulate the brain to reduce brain spasm, and must be prohibited.
5, flat iron or ionic perm (Electric head lice combs)
These applied voltages and currents produce heat sources that are not recommended for use on users of cochlear implants.
6.Dental treatments (Dental treatments)
Some dental handles need to be avoided in users of cochlear implants if they are similar to tests with electrical stimulation. Other bone and air drills are permitted, and are discussed in the section on ultrasonic scaling below.
The following treatments are sometimes allowed for cochlear implant users, please contact your cochlear implant team first
1. MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) MRI imaging requires special attention for cochlear implant users, so do not perform an MRI without first contacting your cochlear implant team and contacting your manufacturer prior to use. The MRI machine may cause damage to your implant and speech processor. (Remember, it is not safe to remove the speech processor and the connecting wires!) Because of the large amount of electromagnetic waves in the MRI area, please take special care to avoid being near the MRI area if you have a cochlear implant.
In addition, some research MRI machines are located in research facilities, universities, and their facilities are the same as hospitals.
Please note that some cochlear implants are allowed to perform MRI’s and some are not, so please contact your original surgical team prior to exposure.
2. Ultrasound has not been found to cause damage to the cochlear system when using diagnostic ultrasound and ultrasonic scalers. However, we do not recommend that the ultrasound probe be pointed directly at the implant and that the speech processor be turned off while the examination is being performed.
3. TENS machines contact electrical stimulators (used in rehabilitation, usually in pain reduction therapy) are not recommended to be placed on the head for treatment.
4.X-ray examination is necessary to turn off the speech processor during the X-ray examination, and try to stay away from the X-ray examination machine.
5.Electrolysis is recommended to contact your implant center if you are treating the head and neck. Electrolysis is not currently available in China (not commonly known as electrolysis).
6.Radiation therapy (Radiotherapy Cobalt 60 and Linear Accelerator) The cochlear implant part is only risky in the path of irradiation, the scattered part does not pose a risk, the speech processor and the connecting wires should be placed outside the treatment room, please communicate with your medical team when doing these radioactive treatments.
7. Ultrasound diathermy is allowed to treat body parts below the head and neck.
Other medical practices
1. Ear infections If an infection occurs during implant surgery, it needs to be handled with great care and discussed with your physician. It is important to contact your implant center.
2. Laser hair removal basically does not affect the cochlear implant.
Other medical devices
There are many different types of medical devices that can be used, so please contact your physician beforehand if you are not sure about the procedure.