Cochlear Implants

Posted by mwbucket @mwbucket, Jun 22, 2016

Considering a cochlear implant. Any info on type to get and/or any needed info to consider???

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Hearing Loss Support Group.

@jamienolson

Hello @johnnyb7! Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! We're happy to have you here!

I would like to introduce you to other members @michaelstewart, @graveltruck @rosesareredmylove2016 and @faycarole in hopes that they will share how music sounded to them along with being able to sing with songs and also, what to expect when considering a Cochlear Implant.

Teresa shared a link above to information on Cochlear Implants- here it is again- http://mayocl.in/2xFGkdV. There is a tab labeled "what to expect" in the link that you will find helpful. There is also a Mayo Clinic Cochlear Implant Facebook page if you are interested in obtaining more information.

Can you tell me, have you sought out any kind of tinnitus counseling?

Jump to this post

I lost my hearing in left ear suddenly 3 years ago. Wear a hearing aid in my right ear now but so many environments bother me I often just stay home. I don't even go to church because of the music and if I use an ear plug I can't hear the priest. Do you think I'd be a good candidate for an implant and would be able to get used to it? I am 70 years old.

REPLY
@jamienolson

Hello @johnnyb7! Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! We're happy to have you here!

I would like to introduce you to other members @michaelstewart, @graveltruck @rosesareredmylove2016 and @faycarole in hopes that they will share how music sounded to them along with being able to sing with songs and also, what to expect when considering a Cochlear Implant.

Teresa shared a link above to information on Cochlear Implants- here it is again- http://mayocl.in/2xFGkdV. There is a tab labeled "what to expect" in the link that you will find helpful. There is also a Mayo Clinic Cochlear Implant Facebook page if you are interested in obtaining more information.

Can you tell me, have you sought out any kind of tinnitus counseling?

Jump to this post

Hello @mtnyankee! I absolutely think you should speak with a surgeon who specializes in cochlear implants.

Here is a story about a patient who also had a hard time hearing and communicating in different environments and did end up consulting with a surgeon and had a Cochlear Implant placed. I had the chance to meet with her and had a lovely talk about how the process changed her life. Please take a look- https://sharing.mayoclinic.org/2018/04/27/cochlear-implant-allows-judith-collins-to-relish-her-life-again/

Also, you may be interested in this Q&A where Dr. Matthew Carlson, ENT surgeon at Mayo Clinic, discusses Cochlear Implants. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pion0v4JnRE

And then here is some information Mayo has available on the .org web page. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/cochlear-implants/about/pac-20385021

Do you know of anyone that has had a Cochlear Implant, so you can talk with them about their experience?

REPLY
@jamienolson

Hello @johnnyb7! Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! We're happy to have you here!

I would like to introduce you to other members @michaelstewart, @graveltruck @rosesareredmylove2016 and @faycarole in hopes that they will share how music sounded to them along with being able to sing with songs and also, what to expect when considering a Cochlear Implant.

Teresa shared a link above to information on Cochlear Implants- here it is again- http://mayocl.in/2xFGkdV. There is a tab labeled "what to expect" in the link that you will find helpful. There is also a Mayo Clinic Cochlear Implant Facebook page if you are interested in obtaining more information.

Can you tell me, have you sought out any kind of tinnitus counseling?

Jump to this post

I am 73 and in 2008 lost hearing overnite due to acoustical neuroma. Complete hearing loss after radiation. I had BAHA (bone anchored hearing aid) done in 2014 paid by Medicare for one sided deafness and love it. I wear hearing aid on other side as I have hearing loss from child ear infections. I lots of times just have processor from BAHA and can hear for around home etc. only requirement is a functioning cochlea

REPLY
@jamienolson

Hello @johnnyb7! Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! We're happy to have you here!

I would like to introduce you to other members @michaelstewart, @graveltruck @rosesareredmylove2016 and @faycarole in hopes that they will share how music sounded to them along with being able to sing with songs and also, what to expect when considering a Cochlear Implant.

Teresa shared a link above to information on Cochlear Implants- here it is again- http://mayocl.in/2xFGkdV. There is a tab labeled "what to expect" in the link that you will find helpful. There is also a Mayo Clinic Cochlear Implant Facebook page if you are interested in obtaining more information.

Can you tell me, have you sought out any kind of tinnitus counseling?

Jump to this post

@mtnyankee ,
The only way to know for sure is to be evaluated. If your hearing aid is not helping, there is a good possibility you would qualify. Don't let you being 70 deter you. I personally know people implanted much older than you are.

Dennis

REPLY

I would like. To apply for this

REPLY
@johnnyb7

Hello, i have severe hearing loss and tinnitus in both ears. I am currently looking to do a cochlear implant in one ear at a time. I have not been able to find anyone talking about the success rate for this as my issue, nor long term abbility . How long can this work for me? what can i expect. everyone tells me that each persons experience is different so it is hard to predict the outcome?? can anyone help me with these answers??
thank you !
God Bless
Johnnyb7

Jump to this post

Hi this is Johnnyb7,

I’m answering myself if anyone was wondering! Lol
I had my IC done in January 2018, I went from 14% hearing words to 93%. 9% to 73% with sentences! I am so greatful!!
The tinnitus actually improved greatly! I only have what I call summer night sounds which is a Blessing for sleeping!!
I could hear words and understand words at my activation. Sounds are still coming along but is improving.
I did have a headache for about two weeks after my activation because now I was hearing so much that I had not heard for years!
I am not depressed my life is so much better!!!
I can not express how greatful I am!
I thank God for giving man the wisdom to make this possible!

Johnnyb7

REPLY

I know this is an older thread, but I am a CI user for over 5 years, they are simply wonderful. A question was asked about music, for me, music sounds like it did before I lost my hearing. It took some time and the help of my skilled audiologists to get me where I am, but I love listening to music! Feel free to ask any other questions, I'm happy to help.

REPLY

I have been following the Hearing Loss thread but feel I should share on this one. I had Cochlear Implant surgery just 2 weeks ago and I am thrilled. I could hear right away, the audiologist and my husband, and it has improved daily. I heard sleet on our glass roof the other day, and hear my little grandsons high voices. And it is supposed to continue to improve for months even year. My story before very similar to those on HL thread. Just about deaf for 3 years, and modest hearing for 4 yrs previous with HA in both ears. Could “hear” face to face one on one and the rest downhill. Continued to work as an interior designer but with difficulty, used email for the most part. Couldn’t talk on telephone hear TV and so on and so forth. I loved the silence when I could turn my HA off because all background noise eliminated. Was afraid I would miss that using CI but not so. I love turning it on and hearing! Background noise not an issue. My experience with Johns Hopkins in Maryland was wonderful, from surgeon to attendants to audiologist. It was a process to get to CI, knew so little about and knew no one with one so it took almost a year of research to make the decision. A long journey but so successful and happy now. A whole new life! And I should add HLAA helped me make the final decision, went to chapter (headquarters) in Bethesda, Md. last summer and met 2 that is 2 women with CI. A first for me. From that point the journey to CI surgery was on its way.

REPLY

I am being evaluated for a CI in May. Before that, I am meeting with doctors at Columbia Presbyterian and at
NYC Langhone Center. Does anyone have experience having an implant from either of these places? I am 79, so
concerned that I am too old. I am deaf in one ear and use a hearing aid in the other, but I really can only hear
using my FM device and holding the transmitter near the speaker.

REPLY
@adela

I am being evaluated for a CI in May. Before that, I am meeting with doctors at Columbia Presbyterian and at
NYC Langhone Center. Does anyone have experience having an implant from either of these places? I am 79, so
concerned that I am too old. I am deaf in one ear and use a hearing aid in the other, but I really can only hear
using my FM device and holding the transmitter near the speaker.

Jump to this post

@adela, you're never too old for a cochlear implant. I interviewed a number of otologists for my book Smart Hearing on the subject of age and c.i.s. They all said they had operated successfully on patients in their 80's and 90's. You are lucky to live near Columbia Presbyterian and NYU Langone. They are both excellent cochlear implant centers.

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.