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nomiroo

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Hello, I am new to this whole Cochlear Implant idea. Though I've struggled with my hearing nearly all my life (and I'm 42), it never crossed my mind that eventually I'd be a candidate for a CI. I was diagnosed with Otosclerosis in 1998 and had a Stapedectomy surgery in my left ear. It worked tremendously but over the years it decreased. I finally got a Miracle Ear hearing aid in 2011 because it was starting to get hard to understand people. It worked fabulously and I felt like I had gotten back into life again for awhile. But all that changed in 2014 when I had a wax build-up and the hearing aid specialist didn't make sure I heard her on a check-up, she was always talking to me when I didn't have my hearing aid in which on something as important as wax-build up you would think she'd make sure I clearly understood her. Anyway, the next visit nearly a month later I was noticing I couldn't hear as well and she was astonished. Told me she had informed me I needed to get the wax cleaned out on the last visit, but I didn't hear her correctly I guess. She told me it was urgent I get to an ENT. When I went, I had an ear infection and fluid built up in my ear. Long story short, I lost the hearing in that ear for the most part. I got 2 words right out of 25 during the hearing test.  (This is also the ear that the CI will be in). I did get a hearing aid for my right ear but I can no longer hear music well and just basic conversations with people are becoming a tad stressful. 

I have my Speech thing on Aug 3rd and honestly I really don't know what to expect. So any help anyone can give in this would be extremely helpful. You know, what to expect etc.

Right now I'm considering the Rondo or Kanso as I work an active job and I really don't want the BTE piece if it can be avoided. I just need to know who those are recommended for and if they are just as good as the BTE ones.  I do know that I sweat a lot at my job and workout regularly so I need a device that I don't need to worry about sweating all over.

Any help is appreciated and it's so wonderful knowing that I'm not the only one going through this journey.'

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Welcome!  I am new to this CI Journey, too. I will find out if my MRI and CT will allow me to have a CI July 19. . I have otosclerosis- diagnosed in 1976.  R Stapedectomy failure in 1982 and a bicros hearing aid wearer ever since.  Because my ear has not been stimulated in 35 years, theoretically, I will probably only gain sound, not speech.  From what I understand of CI's, you ought to do well as you have had stimulation of your ear.  Your surgeon will recommend one of three companies (Med El is one of them) dependent on structure of the ear.  Those of us with otosclerosis have more ossification that must be taken into consideration.  Good luck with your journey and keep reading all you can about CI's.  

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  • HearPeers Heroes

We are becoming quite the group of otosclerosis CI users/candidates!

 

Electrode array options were very important due to ossification of my cochleas.  Med-El had the best range of electrode arrays for me.  That is why I am now a happy Med-El bilateral CI user.

 

Wishing you both the best!

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18 hours ago, Mary Beth said:

We are becoming quite the group of otosclerosis CI users/candidates!

 

Electrode array options were very important due to ossification of my cochleas.  Med-El had the best range of electrode arrays for me.  That is why I am now a happy Med-El bilateral CI user.

 

Wishing you both the best!

 

23 hours ago, pjandcompany said:

Welcome!  I am new to this CI Journey, too. I will find out if my MRI and CT will allow me to have a CI July 19. . I have otosclerosis- diagnosed in 1976.  R Stapedectomy failure in 1982 and a bicros hearing aid wearer ever since.  Because my ear has not been stimulated in 35 years, theoretically, I will probably only gain sound, not speech.  From what I understand of CI's, you ought to do well as you have had stimulation of your ear.  Your surgeon will recommend one of three companies (Med El is one of them) dependent on structure of the ear.  Those of us with otosclerosis have more ossification that must be taken into consideration.  Good luck with your journey and keep reading all you can about CI's.  

 Yay, more people who understand the battle that Otosclerosis is! I do have a question, I noticed that you both put "ossification" I'm just curious what you mean by that. I don't believe I've heard that term (but then again my hearing is not the best lol). I'm actually considering Med-El highly for the CI but Cochlear is my other choice. I'm leaning towards the Cochlear Kanso or the Med-El one that I can't seem to think of the name of (the one similar to the Kanso). It's important to me to have that option available for not having to worry about the BTE device. I'm truly hoping my CI center offers 1 surgery=2 processors.

Thanks for the replies. I haven't had my MRI yet, first stop is Speech Therapy Analysis then onward from there.

 

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My advanced otosclerosis made it impossible to insert the electrode array through the round window due to bony growth formation (ossification).  They drilled through the cochlea.

 

http://www.emedmd.com/content/otosclerosis

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