Intro myself - Looking for advice

[ChrisCC]

Hi,

I am trying to figure what CI is the right one for me.

I'll be getting one soon for my left ear, which has only heard very low pitches (no chance of understanding speach) for the past 36 years. My right ear is still functioning (with a hearing aid) but it probably won't be long before that one is done too.

Is there anyone in this forum who has experience with a situation like this? I.e. only being able to use one ear for the vast majority of your life and having to depend on the hope a CI can help to regain hearing for your deaf ear while the other one is steadily going south?

I haven't had much time figuring stuff out as my situation has unfortunately evolved rather quickly, so I am also looking for input as to what questions I should be asking my doctor.

Thanks for your help!

[Mary Beth]

Hi @ChrisCC and welcome.

 

My hearing loss was progressive too.  My right ear was completely deaf at age 27 and did not process any sound for the next 24 years.  I received my right implant at age 51.  It does amazing with a CI.  I did a lot of aural rehab to help it along.  Check out our rehab topic for tons of tips.

If you do a search for questions to ask your surgeon, you will find a great list that @Jdashiell shared with us recently.

 

Feel free to ask as many questions as you wish.  There are lots of helpful people here.

[Kara of Canada]

Welcome ChrisCC. This is the best place to find this info. Look around our forum you will find loads of info. Best of luck. 

[ChrisCC]

Hi @Kara of Canada & @Mary Beth,

Thanks for the quick response - very helpful! I'll def check out Jdashiell's list.

Have been reading a lot on the other topics too, but there is a lot of info to digest. Regardless, it's all super helpful.

Thanks again!!

Best,

Chris

 

 

 

[twoNN's]

Well I'm new here and also in the process of getting a CI.Im a little nervous yet excited about the possibility of hearing.  I was born deaf. My deafness is a result of my mother having rubella when pregnant with me in 1965.  Originally I wore hearing aids in both ears,started at the age of 6.  I wasn't diagnosed till I was 5,the pediatrician did not believe my parents when they said they believed I couldn't hear.  Once They were able to have it confirmed they enrolled me in an oral program at the local school district which we happened to live in.  My right ear I have zero hearing in and haven't worn a hearing aid in since I was 12 years old. My left ear has less than 2% hearing but apparently I have great speech. I call it my curse since people don't believe me when I tell them that I am deaf.  I have worn a hearing aid till August 2017, the hearing aid decided it didn't want to work any more and it isn't repairable.I went to an audiologist to purchase my replacement aid and the audiologist felt with my loss I might benefit from a CI rather than a hearing aid so that's how my journey began.  It seems as if there is a lot of testing,researching on my part, getting insurance approval so forth. My husband of 28 years ,is hearing as are our 4 children says he'll support whatever I want.  My kids range from 24 years old to 11 years old.  Hearing aid gives me minimal assistance I've relied on lipreading quite extensively in my interactions with people.I'm very much a part of the hearing world.I have a few deaf friends,most of my friends are hearing and I'm the only deaf person in my family immediate and extended.  How did your family react when you told them that you were interested in getting a CI?  I haven't told my parents or siblings yet, I'm not sure what they will think.  They liven Seattle, Washington and I live 2500 miles east of there so I don't see them very often.  Well I'll shut up now.

 

[Mary Beth]

Welcome @twoNN's!

I was born with full hearing and began losing my hearing at age 13.  My right ear became totally deaf and unaidable at age 27. My left ear continued to decline and use more and more powerful hearing aids until the hearing aids no longer worked.  I received my implants when I was 51. By that time my right ear had not been amplified for 24 years.  I had sequential CI surgeries, 8 months apart.  Best decisions ever!  Absolutely no regrets.  Amazing tech.

I am a Teacher of the Deaf and I also teach American Sign Language  at the university.  I respect all people’s communication choices- sign, speech or sign and speech.

I had to make a decision that was right for me and my life.  Thankfully my spouse is super supportive and was a huge help on my CI journey.  I am glad your husband is supporting you as well.

Our extended family is amazed at how much easier it is for me to join in group conversations.  

I wish you the best on your journey an hope you will stick around and ask us many questions.

[Hicksy]

TwoNN’s what a positive story. I’m sure anyone who knows you will be as excited for you as you should be. Hope it works out!

[Megan L.]

Welcome to the group @twoNN's! 

I was born hearing but chicken pox changed all that for me. By the time I was 2 1/2 I had a hearing loss. My hearing finally stabilized after 2 fistula surgeries (one in each ear) leaving me with 0% discrimination in my left and 1% discrimination in my right ear. I was mainstreamed after going to school with deaf and hh kids and continued that all the way through college.

My first job made me realize I’d like to hear better and not struggle as much as I had my whole life. My brother was the first who researched everything and supported the idea/prospect before I supported it myself! My parents and close friends were extremely supportive and were there every step of the way. They just wanted me to have a better quality of life with less struggle. I have no regrets and it’s been an amazing journey! Every day I hear something new. 

Ask as many questions as you need! Best wishes as you start your journey ? keep us posted

[Kara of Canada]

I also was born hearing. I had meningitis at age 2. It started to deteriorate from there. Got my first HAs at age 17  hearing went to profound by age 35. Got my first implant at 38. Going for my second this year coming. I’ll be 41. Not all my family was on board. My husband is a super skeptic and doesn’t want anything to happen to me. But he supports my choices. Otherwise I had nothing to lose. I can tell you it has changed my life!! I can hear on the phone again. I can listen to music. I can have conversations easily with my family and friends. Plus the best part if it all is I have made many new friends here and on Facebook. Thanks to all of these guys I have had a good transition to my CI. I was super nervous the first time as I didn’t know what to expect but now for the second I’m so expcited that it could be better! Stereo sound baby!