CI NO. 2 - Round 2!

[Prudence]

Hi Mary Beth, just a small update... I got my second Med-El Cochlear Implant (left) at the end of September 2024, and was activated on October 28th, 2024. You probably remembered my first Cochlear Implant (right) was very smooth sailing, to a point of having the "perfect" child from the start. This Left ear CI - not. That's because I haven't heard from the left ear for 17 years unaided, and it went deaf at 2007. Wow, is this hearing ever so different. It does hear, and comprehend speech - it sounds far away, an octave lower, everything doesn't sound clear, booming, beeping, and sounds enclosed. It's weird and spooky at the same time. On Amptify, I can hear the speaker, whereas in human speech, I catch a few words here and there. I think this will take a lot of time for the brain to hear again properly with a lot of training. So, my 2nd CI ear is much more complicated and difficult than the first CI ear. I do wear the Left CI in the mornings for training, then put together the 2 CI's for the rest of the day, for integration. How long did it take for you to hear well, and sounding more normal, with the ear you didn't hear from for 24 years, then implanted with CI?. I know, I'm in for a long journey of patience, practise, and trying to embrace the journey. Thank you again.  

[Mary Beth]

Congratulations @Pru on your second CI!

My long standing deaf ear heard only static and beeps at activation.  A few hours later the first words appeared.  It improved every day and dedicated listening practice helped it a lot!

Oddly enough it was my ear that always heard (with various strength hearing aids) that started off the slowest.

Within a few months both ears were balanced.

[Michael S]

I am fascinated by the uniqueness of each individual.

 

I haven’t heard anything in my right ear for fifty years. When my cochlear implant was activated in April, I only heard static and beeps. By the fourth day, I started to hear to voices, and by the fifth day, I could understand a few words. I still have a long way to go, but I am hearing!  My audiologist and surgeon did not expect me to hear voices; they were hopeful that I would at least hear some environmental sounds.

 

I have worn a hearing aid in my left ear for nearly fifty years.  I received the cochlear implant in September. Although I heard voices when it was activated, my progress was rather slow at first. However, after several visits with my audiologist, I am now on the path to better hearing.   Yes, it helps to practice, and I practice a lot.    Yes, embrace the journey!

 

(After my second CI surgery, I relied on my right ear to hear and communicate for four weeks before my left ear was activated. It was a surreal experience.)

[Prudence]

@Mary Beth @Michael S Thank you so much for your input and encouragements. I feel much better hearing about your experience - it is practise, patience and diligence in getting this ear to improve and hear again "properly". I agree, it will take a few months for the left ear to catch up. One thing I see here is, you are both determined and hard working individuals. If you can do it, I can do it too! The important thing here, is the outcome that I want out of this whole thing. I have a feeling, this is going to be a long marathon full of dips and valleys and surprises. Thank you for being here.

[Mary Beth]

Keep us posted @Pru!!!