Safety for Cochlear Implant Users: Sports

Standard play activities and non-contact sports e.g. tennis, golf, badminton, running, rounders. The transmitter and processor should be securely worn and protected from physical damage such as knocks, water sand etc.

Vigorous sports e.g., football, netball, squashes. It may be advisable to remove the external parts of the system.

Contact sports e.g. boxing, kick boxing. Cochlear implant users should not participate in sports where physical injuries and pressure to the head are inevitable or likely. For sports like hockey and rugby where there is some risk of blows to the head, the external ports should be removed and a form of head protection should be worn. (E.g. a scum cap)

Sports where a helmet is recommended e.g. cycling, riding, sailing. These sports are acceptable. A helmet will help to protect the cochlear implant site from any blows. The helmet should be of a high quality. The padding may need to be modified around the implant site and the external parts removed so that no pressure is applied directly an to the body of the implant scar.

Water sports e.g. swimmimg, shallow diving, snorkelling. The external parts should be removed. If goggles ore worn, care should be taken to ensure that the strap is not too tight over the sight of the receiver under the skin. 5cuba diving or diving to any depth is not recommended because of the potential risk of pressure to the implant. For sailing and canoeing, a helmet is advisable

Gymnastics This should be undertaken with caution. A scrum cap will provide some protection. Once again the external parts should be removed.

Remember to keep all the implant ports dry and free from dust and sand.