Flying with a Cochlear Implant
Airport security
Metal detectors and security scanners should not damage the implant or sound processor.
However, when passing through security metal detectors and scanners the alarm may activate. If the alarm is activated, security may then use a hand-held scanning wand to screen you. The wand will not harm your Cochlear Implant, but it will beep when it passes over your sound processor. It is a good idea to let security staff know that you have an implanted medical device for hearing and carry your 'Patient Identification Card'.
You may hear a distorted sound caused by the magnetic field around the security scanner door or hand-held scanning wand.
Turning the sound processor volume down (or switching it off) before passing through security screening will ensure that those sounds, if they occur, are not too loud or uncomfortable.
Safety during a flight
Let your flight attendant know that you have a hearing loss.
If there is an emergency, they will know that you might not be able to hear messages relayed via the in-flight speaker system, and can give you emergency information another way if necessary.
Theme park rides / high impact activities
Some high-impact activities, such as fun park rides, can expose the head to significant acceleration and pressure. This acceleration may also cause sudden or uncontrolled head movements, which could result in impact to the side of the head where the implant is located.
The acceleration acting on the implant itself is not considered the primary risk for implant failure. The implant has undergone extensive testing, including acceleration testing up to 10g. However, the effects of acceleration can still lead to serious complications. For example, the electrode array could become displaced from the cochlea, or the implant itself could shift from its original position. In addition, acceleration may cause the recipient's head to be pressed forcefully against an object or to impact another object, potentially damaging the implant and resulting in failure of the receiver-stimulator package. The external components may also become detached and be lost during these activities.
For these reasons, high-impact activities are not recommended for cochlear implant recipients.
If a recipient chooses to participate in such activities, wearing a helmet is recommended, provided it leaves sufficient clearance over the implant site and does not apply pressure to the area. While a helmet may help reduce impact forces, it cannot fully protect the implant system. It is also recommended that the external components are removed and not worn during these activities.
Holiday loan processors
A holiday loan processor can be arranged directly through your implant manufacturer.
Cochlear
Tel: +44 1932 263640
Email: uktravel@cochlear.com
Ongoing care and support - Cochlear
Advanced Bionics
Tel: +44 1223 847888
Email: info.uk@AdvancedBionics.com
Med-EL
Tel: 01226 242879
Email: customerservice@medel.co.uk
Flying with a holiday loan processor
Switch your loan processor off, keep it inside a carry-on bag and place the bag onto the conveyer belt at airport security.
Never place your processor directly onto a conveyer belt, as static electricity may build up on its surface and corrupt the settings.
The X-ray machine should not affect your programme when the processor is turned off.
A low-level X-ray is used to screen carry-on luggage. The X-ray will not harm your processor or the programmes.
Never put your loan processor into checked baggage as this could expose it to damaging X-rays.
Advanced Bionics Users
X-ray machines have the potential to damage the microphones on the processor.
the loan processor and any spare microphones (for example a T-mic) should be worn through the metal detector/scanner or examined by hand.
