Your story is very interesting. I had never heard of this being related to total knee replacement before. Of course there is a lot of information out there and a lot of research topics. It's always interesting to learn more.

I'm surprised that an ENT would tell you that Medicare doesn't cover the cost of cochlear implants. In most cases, if a person is a candidate for a CI it is covered. Most insurers cover CIs too. Hearing aids are not covered by Medicare and rarely by insurance, which is a shame. Advocacy groups have been trying to change this for decades, but many more loud voices are needed to join the chorus.

Hearing loss tends to be minimized and referred to as an inconvenience until one has it themselves. It's stressful and isolating and yes, it can lead to reclusiveness and depression. It also affects the people we care about.

It helps to meet other people who live with hearing loss. MCC is a great place to start. Openly meeting and talking to other people with hearing loss validates those feelings of frustration and also shares an opportunity to hear other people's experiences goes a step further.

I encourage you to check out the Hearing Loss Assn. of America(HLAA) to see if there is a chapter of the organization meeting near you. Involvement in this organization pretty much gave me my life back when I felt my hearing loss issues were destroying me. http://www.hearingloss.org

I hope things improve for you. Tinnitus often diminishes and/or goes away completely. However, it's unpredictable.

Know there is hope for your condition.

Julieo4