Can I sleep wearing my cochlear implant?

Ideally, you should remove your cochlear implant before going to sleep. Just to be clear, it's only the external processor that comes off at night, the internal implant stays in place permanently under the skin and isn't something you take out.

The main reason for removing the external part is practical: while sleeping, it can easily get knocked or dislodged as you shift positions, and this can end up damaging the device. Beyond just protecting it from damage, there's a comfort angle too. Wearing it overnight isn't particularly comfortable, since it sits on and around the ear, and most people find it easier to sleep without something attached there.

Removing it at night is also good for the battery. Taking the processor off gives the battery a break, which helps it last longer between charges or replacements, so you're not needlessly draining it while you sleep and getting no benefit from it anyway.

Overall, taking off the external processor at bedtime is simply the more sensible habit. It keeps the device safe from accidental damage, makes for a more comfortable night's sleep, and helps the battery go the distance, all while the internal implant stays exactly where it needs to be.