Am I Too Old to Get a Cochlear Implant? Where Can I Learn More?

@julieo4

Julie, thank you for posting this. i had never heard of this organization.

The 1st link worked. However I believe the 2nd link should be http://www.CIICAnet.org

See you at the Convention ?

Mike

@mikepa Thanks for link correction.
I do plan to be at the HLAA convention. See you there!

Julieo4

I had my cochlear implant surgery done yesterday, Oct 3rd, 2025 on my right side ear.
Regarding hearing, t is obviously too early to tell about the outcome until sometime after activation.
Prescription medication helped to dampen any pain and has not been a major issue until now.
However, one for me very disturbing side effect is that after the anesthesia had worn off, gradually my tinnitus came back, but at an intensity beyond anything I experienced before. When laying down, it becomes less intensive after a while provided I don't change position from laying on my left side
I had in the recent past read about suggestions to handle tinnitus, like taking prescription tranquilizers, painkillers and supplements Many prescription pain medication cause tinnitus to get worse.
Did you or anyone else in the Community had a similar experience with post implant surgery intense tinnitus and found any workable relief? Thank you.

@deberh
So sorry to hear about the tinnitus. Hopefully it will diminish. Did the medical team give you any advice about how to handle it?

Some people have mentioned dietary issues such as sodium & or sugar cut back. One problem with tinnitus is that different things seem to help different people, so you may have to experiment a bit.

Other things that people have mentioned are prescription drugs, alcohol and nicotine.

Positives have included listening to 'white noise (which obviously isn't possible until you're CI is activated.) Other's include stress management techniques such as rhythmic breathing & relaxation strategies.

Hoping you find something that helps. Be sure to ask the medical folks for support.

@deberh - I had a CI implanted in my right ear in July. Had never had tinnitus before and was very surprised when it came roaring into my ear after surgery. It lessened over time. I took 2 Advil PM when I went to bed for the first month, read with my CI attached, taking it off when I got sleepy. At least for me, the tinnitus is completely gone and I'm back to my normal routine at bedtime. My surgeon prescribed a steroid pack which did nothing; this seemed to do the trick for me. Hope this will help. Learning to live with a CI is work, learning to hear distinction in various words is work, but I enjoy hearing with more ease.

Thank you @ngskopak for sharing your experience. and I was glad to read that your tinnitus is completely gone and you are well into the phase of regaining word and speech recognition.
Next week will be activation and I am fully aware that I will be on the road to work hard towards being able to hear again with lesser and lesser effort. I am ready for it!
I searched on several sites about medications that MIGHT cause or worsen tinnitus, and found that almost every NSAID and steroid anti inflammatory was listed.
Even simple over the counter sleep aids, like Melatonin, were included.
So far, it seems to me that finding the right helpful medication or supplement is a matter of trial and error (with or without professional medical advice).
Thank you.

@julieo4 Julie, thank you for your reply and
I had quite a bit of communications with the medical team, the implant manufacturer's engagement manager, as well as doing my own research. I got several suggestions, most of them similar to what one can find searching on the web. Relaxation exercises and stress management techniques were recommended as being effective.
Like you wrote, everyone is different. Tinnitus being a neurological issue, there are no "one-size-fits-all" solutions.
Following are a few of my personal trial-and-error experiences.
During the post surgery days I had received the recommendation to take Ibuprofen 3x200mg every 6-8 hours as needed against pain, as well as prescription pain and anti-nausea medication.
To help getting better sleep at night, I took Melatonin 20mg and Valerian capsules.
Searching on Google I found an almost endless list of medications and supplements that may/can/will worsen tinnitus, and the usual statement "...consult with your physician ". The prescription pain and anti-nausea medications I got were mentioned, too.
Melatonin and Valerian were also listed among those that taken over longer time, in particular at higher dosage might cause addiction, and stopping to take them could cause withdrawal symptoms. I had taken them before but not always, nor ar higher dosages.
I stopped taking Melatonin, Valerian, Ibuprofen and Pepto-Bismol, and within 24 hours the tinnitus improved significantly. Except for the first 3 days after surgery, I did not take any of the prescription drugs.
If waking me up at night, I do relaxation exercises until it quiets down and I go back to sleep.
Again, those were my experiences to date.
Implant activation will be this coming week and what happens afterwards remains to be seen.

@deberh Thank you for sharing your experience! It helps to dig in and research options, ask questions, etc. The answers to issues related to hearing loss are not always the kind that are at your fingertips!

Interesting about all those medications you mentioned. The non-medication help: stress management techniques often seem to be a better answer, but again we are all different.

Research is ongoing and much of the good news, like cochlear implant success has happened in the last 30+ years. We all hope that continuing research will keep finding ways to help hearing loss, tinnitus, etc.

Good luck with your CI activation. I hope you'll share good news with us soon.

Julieo4