Cochlear implant for single sided deafness

Hi @golden418, that sounds very promising. I thought @davekoh and @susyq213 would find that interesting and may be able to share their knowledge of cochlear implants

Have you been researching this as well? What have you found?

Understand, even with a CI, directionality may still be an issue. I have a CI in one ear and HA in the other. If I were totally deaf in an ear, I would not hesitate to get a CI. Depending on how long you have not had hearing in that ear, it may take a while for sound to work well for you. Initially, words may sound funny, like Donald Duck. But the longer you wear a CI, the better the sound--often a year later.

What are the Pros and Cons between CI and CROS hearing aid?
I was told that even with single-sided deafness, CROS can help (assuming the other side of the ear is usable in terms of speech clarity). Why people choose the surgery route? What is the drawback to use CROS? I am very nervous about surgery. I just started researching CI, what is the failure rate, device replacement, water resistance, surgery recovery, side effect, etc.

Hi @btpanda, I moved your question about the pros and cons of a Cochlear Implant vs CROS hearing aids for single-side deafness to this discussion that @golden418 started. Click VIEW & REPLY to read through the past messages.

I'm also tagging @editored @julieo4 @bobbiefriend @golden418 and @imallears as I believe they have experiences with Phonak CROS or Bi-CROS to share and thoughts on the questions you ask about surgery or the possible drawbacks to CROS.

I know you've been following @lizzy102's posts in the discussion:
My Cochlear Implant - a journal https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/my-cochlear-implant-a-journal/

You may also be interested in these discussions:
- Using a Bi-Cros for Single-Sided Deafness (SSD), and Domino Pro Info https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/using-a-bi-cros-for-single-sided-deafness-ssd-and-domino-pro-info/
- Mayo Clinic Minute: New technology for cochlear implants https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-minute-new-technology-for-cochlear-implants-2/

golden418 here - I am now on my second pair of the phonax CROS hearing aids. The first pair were so so - the second ones are much better. In my case they allow me to hear from my deaf side although eco locating (at least in my case) is still problematic (truthfully non existent). In reality I think it had caused me to lean more on my good ear (which I also have significant loss - the left ear aid serves as a conventional aid) as I have been deaf in my right ear since age 4 (meningitis) and I believe that now 58 years later my brain is wired to perceive all sound from my left side. The big advantage for me is when I am driving - I now can hear conversation that I never could before (left good ear to the window) - it is to me a huge improvement to hear my grandkids talking while I am driving them around. Not sure if deafness later in life may have more of an advantage with the bi-cros. I also do not have to worry , as much as I use to, on where I sit in a group of people (favoring my left side to a group) - it would have been great to have had that throughout my life. I would recommend anyone with single sided deafness to utilize this technology.

Hello All:

As Mayo Clinic recently released a Youtube video about Cochlear Implants I wanted to share it with those in this discussion group. After you listen to this video (only about 10 minutes) will you let me know if it helped you understand this procedure better?

If anything the video gives hope. Was pleased to learn that of the advancements in this device in 30 years. One thing that was missing was a quality of life post-CI discussion. Does the whooshing and ringing go away, for example?

I’ll be able to answer that after my CI is activated on Feb. 3 or so. I’m trying to chronicle my experience as honestly and in the moment as possible. See @lizzy102