Gastrointestinal testing: Is it safe with a Cochlear implant?

@debrajones
Welcome to Mayo Connect. I suggest you contact your care team with the question. It might vary depending on the type of testing you are having.

Do you care to share the type of testing you are having?

@debrajones, I moved your question to the Digestive Health support group (https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/digestive-gastrointestinal-problems/) as well as the Hearing Loss support group (https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/hearing-loss/) where I think you'll get related responses.

I'm tagging members like @julieo4 @lizzy102 @tlehman @arieswoman @pinkpam who live with a Cochlear implant and may have more input to share.

To help answer your question, I echo @roch's query. What type of GI testing are you having?

I am not a medical professional thus not qualified to answer your question. It's best that you contact your hearing implant professionals regarding an MRI. I can't have one either but it's never come up in my case.

@colleenyoung @debrajones

The issue with cochlear implants and other medical procedures is that the magnet in the internal cochlear implant device may cause an issue with the testing technology such as an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging). Not knowing what kind of testing will be done, it's hard to know if there would be an issue.

Ask your cochlear implant audiologist. Also be sure your gastrointestinal team knows you have a CI.

@roch the testing require for me to drink this radiation stuff to check my stomach. Does this help?

@debrajones contrast can be used in CT scans, fluoroscopy, MRI, ultrasound and probably other types of scans (I'm not a radiologist or radiographer).

It's best to talk with the imaging facility and your care team about the testing and make sure they know about the cochlear implant.

I have an Osia 2 processor with a magnet in my head. I have also had gastro intestinal testing (non MRI). If you have any doubts I would find out exactly what type of testing you will be having, and check with both your ENT as well as the radiology clinic.