If all goes well, surgery is 1.5-2.5 hr. procedure A small incision behind the ear where a receiver is implanted and electrodes are threaded through to the cochlea. Release from the hospital the following day. Minor discomfort for 2-3 days. Back to normal in 8-10 days. Had cochlear unit fitted in 4-6 weeks. Absolutely amazing the second it was turned on. Remember hearing my wife's voice for first time in a long while. Because your brain needs to retrain itself to using the new cochlear unit my hearing continued to improve with each new hearing test over 1.5 year span. A game changing decision on my part and an excellent procedure performed by Dr. Driscoll and his staff at Mayo Clinic. Follow up testing and consultation by Amy Olund was second to none.