A funny thing happened on the way to surgery. Actually, it was during the pre-surgery conference when the surgeon gave me an eye-opener. The cause of my sudden loss of hearing a year ago is a neuropathy that I inherited most likely from my mother. I thought I would share this information so others with CMT might benefit. Charcot Marie Tooth, (3 Doctors back in1886) is the original name and still most common in the medical world. Now it is bundled into Hereditary Motor and Sensory Neuropathy. It damages the peripheral nerves by compromising the axon core, or the myelin sheath, (probably more information than you wanted). However, all those nerves in the hearing process are not exempt. So, if you or anyone you know has CMT, pass on this information.

As for me, I am now the proud owner of two Cochlear™ Nucleus® 7 sound processors and all the accessories that come with them. Surgery was in early November, activation in early December, and with some struggle, I can understand my wife when she asks me to take out the garbage. Still, a long way to go before I give up my Otter™.