General precautions and warnings
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Other treatments
The effects of a number of treatments are unknown, e.g. electrical examinations in the
dental area. Please contact your clinic.
Ear infections
Infections in the implanted ear must be treated promptly by a physician who will prescribe
antibiotics as necessary. Prophylactic use of antibiotics is recommended for all patients
unless medically contra-indicated. The surgeon should prescribe adequate dosing for each
patient’s condition. Please inform your CI centre of such infections.
Electrical lice combs
Cochlear implant users should not use these devices.
Meningitis vaccine and prevention
Bacterial meningitis is rare but has the potential to be serious. The risk of contracting
meningitis after your CI surgery can be reduced by the meningitis vaccine, by using antibiotics
before and after CI surgery and by using the surgical technique recommended by MED-EL.
As with all cochlear implant surgery, preventative antibiotic usage is recommended for all
patients unless medically contra-indicated. Talk to your surgeon about this. Your surgeon
should prescribe adequate antibiotic dosing for you or your child and should check your or
your child’s immunisation status before your implant surgery.
