Juliette Posted November 12, 2015 Report Share Posted November 12, 2015 Hi, I have conductive hearing loss through chronic infections. One week ago I had the surgery for a Med-el Bonebridge. I am surprised at how painful the surgery was (still is). I had expected the pain and swelling to subside after a few days. I now have even less hearing from my better ear where the implant has been placed. Is this usual? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HearPeers Heroes Kara of Canada Posted November 12, 2015 HearPeers Heroes Report Share Posted November 12, 2015 From what I have heard yes. I had my cochlear implant put in last Thursday. I was surprised at the pain level too. I still have pain as well. Ivana will tell u all about the bonebridge implant that's her specialty. Juliette 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HearPeers Heroes Ivana Marinac Posted November 12, 2015 HearPeers Heroes Report Share Posted November 12, 2015 Hello Juliette and welcome to the HP, Can you explain us little bit - what do you mean when you mention a pain: is it from your surgical incision? Is the place of implantation clean, without any suspicious change in colour or possible oedema? In other words, is there any inflammation? Also, same thing with hearing.... Although some times there is possibility to subjectively hear little bit less but there is no reason (especially with BB) to interfere with your hearing. I didn't have any kind of pain - actually I ran a bike for 30 km 4 days after surgery, I honestly thought that my surgeon will kill me Juliette 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juliette Posted November 15, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 15, 2015 Hi Ivana, I am experiencing pain (stabbing) and throbbing from the site of the implant but not from the surgical incision. The implant site is still swollen. I had expected it to sit flat and be barely noticeable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HearPeers Heroes Ivana Marinac Posted November 15, 2015 HearPeers Heroes Report Share Posted November 15, 2015 Hi, Swollen tissue is expected at least a month after the implantation. Regarding your pain, it is understandable that it's not just incision which could pain, it's all tissue near because it should be elevated to expose the place which will be drilled. If you feel that pain is still same intensity as first day you should contact your surgeon. Regarding the flatness - you mean that implant is too bulky? Did you see the implant before the surgery? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juliette Posted November 16, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 16, 2015 Hi Ivana, Feeling better today although still cannot hear from my right ear. Yes, I saw the implant and I was expecting some swelling but not quite so large as what is there. When I discussed the issues with the specialist he simply said he would remove it if it continued to be problematic. Don't really want to go down that path and still optimistic for a good outcome. Perhaps I just need to be more patient. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HearPeers Heroes Adam Posted November 16, 2015 HearPeers Heroes Report Share Posted November 16, 2015 Juliette You have the right attitude. Try to be patient. Be sure to stay in touch with your surgeon and audiologist as they know your health and hearing history the best. Each persons body reacts a little differently to surgery. If you experience any redness, warmth to the touch or swelling getting worse instead of better, contact your doctor as soon as you can so they can take a look. Congratulations on your new journey. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HearPeers Heroes Ivana Marinac Posted November 16, 2015 HearPeers Heroes Report Share Posted November 16, 2015 Hi Ivana, Feeling better today although still cannot hear from my right ear. Yes, I saw the implant and I was expecting some swelling but not quite so large as what is there. When I discussed the issues with the specialist he simply said he would remove it if it continued to be problematic. Don't really want to go down that path and still optimistic for a good outcome. Perhaps I just need to be more patient. Excellent... Sometime we're just little bit frustrated and it seems to us that present state remain too long... Just be patient... He would remove what? Swelling? - I can't figure out what are you writing about... Regarding your wound location - this is really ordinary reaction. You should have in mind that all tissue have to be moved on the side and then the bone has to be drilled out during at least 45 minutes of divided tissue. It'll be okay completely. Your hearing can be little bit deafened but basically nor the cochlea nor the ossicular chain has been touched (if you have it) because simple mastoidectomy does not expose middle ear cleft. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juliette Posted November 17, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 17, 2015 There were complications and I was in surgery for over four hours however everything in my ear was intact prior to this. The surgeon was suggesting he remove the implant if it did not settle down soon. My switch-on date is 25 November so I have just over a week for everything to heal and the swelling to resolve. Fingers crossed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HearPeers Heroes Kara of Canada Posted November 17, 2015 HearPeers Heroes Report Share Posted November 17, 2015 Will keep my fingers crossed!! Be patient. I too had complications with my CI surgery. Brain herniation and csf leaks. So your not alone with different complications! Even Adam could tell you this he has had 37 head surgeries. Good luck be patient!!! We're there for you!!! Juliette 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HearPeers Heroes Ivana Marinac Posted November 17, 2015 HearPeers Heroes Report Share Posted November 17, 2015 There were complications and I was in surgery for over four hours however everything in my ear was intact prior to this. The surgeon was suggesting he remove the implant if it did not settle down soon. My switch-on date is 25 November so I have just over a week for everything to heal and the swelling to resolve. Fingers crossed. Of course, although if swelling does not settle down you may experience difficulties to keep your outer unit on the spot because magnet can be too distant to have effective connection so it can fall down. But, we'll definitely cross our fingers that everything settle down so you don't get more serious situation. Juliette 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juliette Posted November 24, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 24, 2015 Switch on is scheduled for tomorrow morning. Excited. Feeling better than last week however I still have pain and swelling behind my ear. What hearing I had in that ear has not returned yet either. I hope this won't delay switch-on as I am sure it will resolve eventually. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HearPeers Heroes Kara of Canada Posted November 24, 2015 HearPeers Heroes Report Share Posted November 24, 2015 Sounds exciting!! I have heard others talk of warring a headband but I haven't gotten that far!! My switch on is next week!! On Tuesday!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HearPeers Heroes Adam Posted November 24, 2015 HearPeers Heroes Report Share Posted November 24, 2015 Yep sometimes swelling can take some time to go down. Keep an eye on it, if there are any changes, be sure to tell your doctor and Audi. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juliette Posted November 25, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 25, 2015 Yay - switch on went well. It is amazing how much more I can hear now. I had no idea I was so noisy. The audio and Med-el rep are both concerned about the swelling behind my ear so we are all keeping a watch on it. My ear still feels blocked and numb but not as much as last week so I am sure the swelling will also dissipate over time. The processor is small and discreet and completely unnoticeable under my hair. Looking forward to going to the shops and actually hearing what the sales assistants are saying. Usually I don't make eye contact so that I don't have to talk to them. Today will be different. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HearPeers Heroes Adam Posted November 25, 2015 HearPeers Heroes Report Share Posted November 25, 2015 That is awesome Juliette!!! I'm sure you have to be excited. Like I said earlier, it might take some time for the swelling to go down. Keep a close eye on the site and be sure to report any changes. Please let us know how your new hearing journey is going. Just think, no more looking down when a sales assistant talks to you Very happy for you. Juliette 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HearPeers Heroes Mary Beth Posted November 25, 2015 HearPeers Heroes Report Share Posted November 25, 2015 Great news Juliette. I hope the swelling goes down soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HearPeers Heroes Kara of Canada Posted November 25, 2015 HearPeers Heroes Report Share Posted November 25, 2015 Yay!! So excited for you. It will be a bit of work for you but it's worth it in th end!!! Congrats on the new hearing!! Please keep us updated on your progress. Happy shopping!!! Juliette 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HearPeers Heroes Ivana Marinac Posted November 25, 2015 HearPeers Heroes Report Share Posted November 25, 2015 Yay - switch on went well. It is amazing how much more I can hear now. I had no idea I was so noisy. The audio and Med-el rep are both concerned about the swelling behind my ear so we are all keeping a watch on it. My ear still feels blocked and numb but not as much as last week so I am sure the swelling will also dissipate over time. The processor is small and discreet and completely unnoticeable under my hair. Looking forward to going to the shops and actually hearing what the sales assistants are saying. Usually I don't make eye contact so that I don't have to talk to them. Today will be different. You will adapt - each time I go through the fitting I sound to myself little bit overamplified. But this will change and you'll need re-fitting when you start feeling that your intelligibility decrease. But then, generally you'll need just increasing the volume and perhaps timber adapt. But you'll see... This is excellent news! Keep observing each day what is not understandable and work than with your audiologist. And keep your eye on that swelling - it should go away. Juliette 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HearPeers Heroes Sandy Posted November 27, 2015 HearPeers Heroes Report Share Posted November 27, 2015 Congratulations Juliette. And the journey begins. Please let us know how you are progressing and ask all the questions you want. We are here to support each other. Juliette 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juliette Posted December 1, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 1, 2015 Shopping is a much easier experience now. I don't have to constantly ask people to repeat themselves. I go back to work tomorrow so that will be interesting - it is an open plan work place. I have turned down the volume in my car radio, the television and stereo. I love being able to hear all these sounds I didn't know existed and the realisation that I am quite a noisy person. I had an appointment with the surgeon this afternoon. He didn't really have many answers for me and couldn't really explain why I now have more hearing loss in my right ear. He said the swelling may go down a bit but didn't appear all that optimistic. He is also hopeful that the hearing in my right ear will return to pre-surgery levels. I think my magnet strength needs some adjustment as I find I can only wear the processor for about eight hours before it becomes beyond comfortable but perhaps that also gets easier with time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HearPeers Heroes Ivana Marinac Posted December 1, 2015 HearPeers Heroes Report Share Posted December 1, 2015 Hi Juliette, Glad to hear that you progress so well Further, you need some time that everything settles down - I also had some temporary changes but you need to have in mind that tonal audiogram is highly subjective method. It's much more important speech audiometry regarding function than facts overall. Regarding your magnet, if you have skin itch it may be that this magnet is too strong. Juliette 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HearPeers Heroes Adam Posted December 1, 2015 HearPeers Heroes Report Share Posted December 1, 2015 Juliette If there is some excessive swelling it can affect the magnet. Let you Doctor know of the discomfort. You no not want a magnet that is too strong as it can damage the skin flap. It does sound like you are headed in the right direction which is very exciting. Try to be patient and be sure to keep your doctor updated on your skin flap. Sometimes it can take quite a while for the swelling to go down. Try to focuse on learning exercises. Talk to you soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juliette Posted January 6, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 6, 2016 Greetings, the past month has been a busy one full of lots of exciting hearing experiences. I am back at work and hearing so many more sounds. My manager stood up to talk to me the other day and I had a small panic attack because I couldn't see her mouth (to read her lips) but I needn't have worried because I could actually hear her. Such a relief. I have had the magnet strength adjusted in the processor and I can now wear it for the whole day. On the negative side. I have been advised that my implant will never sit flat owing to the way it was inserted. All of it noticeably protrudes from my head and makes wearing glasses/sunglasses quite difficult. The hearing in my right ear has not returned to pre-surgery levels (yet but still hopeful for an improvement) and even the audiologist is surprised at the drop in levels. I have also been told that the throbbing I have been experiencing in my right ear since the surgery is Pulsatile Tinnitus for which there is no cure. I haven't been given any firm answers and possible causes such as obesity and high blood pressure have been ruled out because I am quite slim and have low blood pressure. I have been advised that what may have caused it was something has been done to the mastoid that wouldn't normally have been part of the implant procedure. I will finish on a positive though. Now that I can hear better, I can hear the timer on my oven and no longer burn the cakes and cookies. J. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HearPeers Heroes Kara of Canada Posted January 6, 2016 HearPeers Heroes Report Share Posted January 6, 2016 Wow!!! This is an improvement then!! That's awesome!! Glad to hear things are getting better for you!! Juliette 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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