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Thank you! Great information. I live in Minneapolis and I will explore CI options here - including possibly Mayo Clinic.
Replies to "Thank you! Great information. I live in Minneapolis and I will explore CI options here -..."
@charlaine You are fortunate to live in an area where there is an HLAA chapter as Mike mentioned. I hope you connect with them as it really helps to talk to people who understand what you are going through. You can get contact information on the national HLAA website under chapters. http://www.hearingloss.org
The University of Minnesota has a CI program. Of course, Mayo is in MN too. It is important to consult with an audiologist who is informed about CIs or is affiliated with a CI center.
I'm sad to say I have two friends who have had audiologists tell them they are 'not ready' for a CI. Both of those friends are borderline, and in their late 70s. They struggle socially and are starting to withdraw from things they've always enjoyed. Both have been using hearing aids for years. I mention this only because there seems to be a disconnect among some audiologists when it's time to recommend going the CI route. Perhaps they don't want to lose a long time patient. This, in spite of the reality that candidacy for CIs has changed considerably in the last two years to allow more people to qualify. Getting tested at a CI center, and consulting with experts in this area makes sense.
Do keep us posted.
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Charlaine,
You can't go wrong with going to Mayo for an CI evaluation. Also if you want to talk in person to people that have made the decision and are wearing CI's, there is a large HLAA Chapter in Twin Cities and if you contact them they would be happy to talk to you.
Also, I have joined Zoom forums with Advanced Bionics and Cochlear Americas. They each have them at least one night a month in several regions of the country. I've learned a lot from listening and asking questions of people like me that are considering getting a CI, but also there are mentors on the Zoom who have already been through the process that you can talk to and ask their experiences. I have found them to be very helpful in making my decision. If you send me your email I can give you the email of the representative that set up and moderated the Zoom calls that I attended.
Mike