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Has anyone gotten the MED-EL cochlear implant?
I just learned about this from an audiologist friend who works for this company. It has been FDA approved for hearing preservation with the implant. She previously worked for Cochlear so knows the options- and she is very excited about MED-EL. I am looking for any experience with this.
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Medicare covered my implant in my right ear (and my upgrade for the processor several years later) because my hearing loss was so severe in my right ear and bad enough in my left ear, though I still have a hearing aid in my left ear. A trained audiologist familiar with cochlear implants would know the parameters for acceptance by Medicare.
I had horrible results from cochlear implants they effect everyone differently, it was not a cake walk either! Had 3 different surgeries on one ear to make the implant hurt less, it did not work for me, I also have COPD and you need to be healthy as far as lungs and or low immune systems had excellent Dr though, it’s not to get surgery and you’re able to hear, there are steps to have to follow, adjustment’s that have to be made, it’s work but worth it! Good luck
Carly Sygrove shares her MED-EL journey:
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BzVPfCPRh/?
I have mixed feelings about the cochlear implant. Today, hearing aids are better than ever. Every person I know who has a cochlear implant raves about them. They are very fortunate. The problem I have is that once it is accomplished and it does not work, you cannot exchange it for another one or purchase hearing aids. You are completely Deaf. Hearing aids have improved over the years and many assistive listening devices are also available. A competent audiologist will fit your hearing loss and list the assistive listening devices available. The Hearing Loss Association of America is an excellent organization for those with hearing loss and their families. I found out there are millions of people in the USA with hearing loss, but it is an invisible disability. I have been hard of hearing all my life and I am now in the mid-eighties.
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1 ReactionDid Medicare pay for your MED EL implants? I don’t have Facebook but tell me if you were happy with the end result.
Like the person above I am hesitant to get CI’s because hearing aids do keep getting better and they are starting human clinical trials to try to restore damaged hair cells in our ears in 2025. Wouldn’t that be wonderful for all of us.
Carly isn’t US based, but she does have an interesting story and is very supportive. Here’s a link to her website. Hope it helps.
http://www.carlysygrove.com/
Hello
I am still researching CI. I have gone through testing and do qualify for Medicare to pay. My comprehension in left ear is 10% with hearing aid. I am considering Cochlear or Med-el. I will be getting a second opinion at Mayo Clinic in April and would have surgery this summer if I go ahead.
Yes, a cure would be wonderful!
Let me know what you find out.
Hopefully 2025 continues to bring us advances in hearing aid technology and research continues to make progress in finding a cure for hearing loss. If not in 2025 hopefully in 2026.
Have a happy New Year.