Cochlear implant: when to get help

1. 1

   Is any of this happening now?

   Call 911

   Call emergency services for trouble breathing, loss of consciousness, a seizure, or possible meningitis symptoms such as severe headache with fever, neck stiffness, confusion or unusual sensitivity to light.

   Other emergency signs, for anyone

   • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
   • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
   • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
   • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
   • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
   • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
   • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
   • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these
2. 2

   Is any of this happening?

   Be seen today

   Contact the implant or surgical team promptly for increasing pain, redness, swelling, drainage, fever, persistent vomiting, worsening dizziness, new facial weakness or a processor or implant-site problem.

   Seek urgent medical assessment for clear watery fluid leaking from the ear or nose, sudden marked facial weakness or severe, rapidly worsening swelling.

   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these
3. 3

   Does any of this apply?

   Book an appointment

   Routine questions about processor comfort, sound quality, programming or rehabilitation can usually wait for normal clinic hours.

   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Cochlear implant. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.