Michael Shipman Posted August 26 Report Share Posted August 26 Hello everybody, I recently read the post "Bilateral Bliss," dated 2018, and found it very encouraging. I will soon be a bilateral CI user and would love to hear from those who wrote in the post in 2018. What is it like now to be bilateral? Any suggestions and guidance for a new bilateral user would be much appreciated. Additionally, if there are any new bilateral users since then, I would love to hear about your experiences. Thank you! Mary Beth 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lauren Posted August 26 Report Share Posted August 26 Welcome to HearPeers. I got my first CI in 2021 and second in 2022. I was apprehensive at the beginning of my CI journey but am now happily bilateral. Mary Beth and Michael Shipman 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HearPeers Heroes Mary Beth Posted August 26 HearPeers Heroes Report Share Posted August 26 I love hearing with two balanced CI ears. It is amazing! Musical pitch is much better Hearing in noise is easier Locating sounds is so much fun- after 24 years of absolutely no hearing from one ear I never thought I would regain that ability In general, listening is easier so I think I just take it for granted now that I will hear in various situations I could go on and on about how awesome listening with two balanced CIs is in my everyday life. TIPS: Each implanted ear takes its own unique journey Train the new ear separately but also train with both sides together Enjoy the ride! Michael Shipman 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Shipman Posted August 27 Author Report Share Posted August 27 Thank you. I have been wearing my hearing aid for 44 years, and I am anxious about giving it up for a cochlear implant. However, professionals advise me not to wait and that I will do much better with two CIs. It's nice to hear from other bilateral users. I am looking forward to my activation date in late September. Mary Beth 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lauren Posted August 27 Report Share Posted August 27 Best of luck @Michael Shipman Im a former hearing aid wearer myself. About 25 years. Takes adjusting to and you’ll hear a lot about aural (listening) rehab and that’s just to train your brain. You’ll also hear a lot about listening fatigue especially in the early days so just take it easy early on and enjoy your CI journey. Any questions occur to you just jump on HearPeers and ask. Michael Shipman 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave in Pittsburgh Posted September 3 Report Share Posted September 3 congratulations going bilateral it’s the best decision I ever made. I had my first operation 2016 second 2018 I have the Sonnet 2 Training was pretty easy for me as I recall Good Luck Michael Shipman 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darlene Mac Posted September 5 Report Share Posted September 5 Hi! I found out yesterday that I qualify for a second CI. I got my first in 2012, and I absolutely love everything about it. Now, I have a decision to make regarding my other ear. I have been going over the pros and cons, and am leaning toward going ahead and getting the second CI. The first time it was a breeze. What have your experiences been like? Any advice? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HearPeers Heroes Mary Beth Posted September 5 HearPeers Heroes Report Share Posted September 5 @Darlene Mac I love listening with two balanced CIs. Best decision ever for me. Wishing you the best. Michael Shipman 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave in Pittsburgh Posted September 5 Report Share Posted September 5 I’m bi lateral first operation 2016 second 2018 there was no question about going bilateral when I qualified I said to the surgeon I have nothing to do tomorrow so let’s do it he laughed he said I wish I had more candidates with your outlook. i was very fortunate both operations were pice of cake word rehab was very easy as the brain recognize the other foreign object You will experience a whole new world of hearing, You will pick up sounds better its totally awesome experience going bilateral. I really can’t why more people don’t go bilateral when one qualifies I have the Sonnet 2 processors very happy with the performance Good Luck Michael Shipman 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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