Recovery from bone conduction implant surgery

Preparing yourself for surgery

It is normal to have a bandage for a day or two after surgery. Your healthcare team will give you instructions on how to care for the implant site after the bandage is removed.

It’s important to follow your doctor's instructions regarding rest and recovery after bone conduction implant surgery.

Many people return to work or normal activities within a few days after surgery, but you may want to give yourself at least a week to recover. Your doctor will tell you when it’s safe to return to your activities. Most doctors advise against lifting even moderately heavy weights for some time after surgery.

To learn about supporting a child through bone conduction surgery, click here.

Here are some tips to help you recover

• Follow your doctor’s instructions and take medication as directed.
• Arrange for someone to take you home from hospital as you won’t be able to drive.
• Ask a friend or family member to help you for a day after your surgery so you can recover.
• You should be able to shower and wash your hair one week after surgery, as instructed by your doctor, being careful to keep water out of your ear.
• Eat a healthy diet and drink lots of water to promote healing.

Fitting your sound processor

Your surgeon will want your incision to heal before you are fitted with your sound processor for the first time. Your hearing health professional will advise you how much time you’ll need to recover before the fitting.

Fitting your bone conduction device