Your medical doctor has told you to prepare for the future, but hasn't given you any advice on how to do that. I was there once myself, but it was years ago when I was in my early 20s. I am very thankful that I discovered the organization that is now known as The Hearing Loss Assn. of America, Inc. (HLAA) when I was in my 40s. By then I was desperate for support. My real learning and coping begin at that point when I learned I was not alone, and that other people like me had ways of coping that I had never been told about by doctors or audiologists. The first 'miracle' was learning about assistive technology that went beyond the bicross hearing aid I was using. I found out that a tiny component called a telecoil, in some hearing aids could connect me to sound systems. All of a sudden I could enjoy presentations because of that telecoil and an installed piece of assistive technology called a hearing loop.

Further, I learned that same technology could be applied in personal settings by using an FM system with a small hand held microphone. Back then, that required plugging a wire with a 'mike' into my hearing aid. Today, that kind of technology is wireless. It works the same way, but is less cumbersome.

A few decades later, after watching HLAA friends go through the cochlear implant process, I realized how well they were doing and decided it was time for me to consider that option. I was implanted with one CI in 2005. It was another 'miracle'. It was done in the ear that had been unaided, so the poorer ear. Today I remain bimodal, meaning that I use both a CI and a hearing aid. My brain has rewired itself to depend on both of them to hear. My only regret about getting the CI is that I didn't do it earlier!

I encourage you to seek out and meet other people through HLAA. There is a great deal of information at their website; http://www.hearingloss.org If there is a chapter near you, meeting people in person (when that is possible again), is a huge help. Chapters all over the country are meeting via Zoom right now, so there are opportunities that were not available before. All of the Zoom meetings are captioned.

Most important, know there is HOPE for your situation. If your ENT has mentioned cochlear implants, it likely means that you are, or will be, a logical candidate.

Meanwhile, try some of the assistive devices that are available. See if your hearing aid has a telecoil and find ways to use it. And keep connecting with other hard of hearing people. It helps.

A few other thoughts. Lipreading is important, and difficult in our current masked society. Facial expressions tell a lot. Good to practice and be aware of this when you can be. Some may tell you to learn sign language. Most of us find that not to be a solution, unless everyone around us also learns it which generally doesn't happen. Technology is the answer for most of us. Learn all you can and let us know how it's working for you. You are not alone!

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