Back when my hearing loss was diagnosed in the early 60s, there was very little research being done on hearing loss. The prevailing theory was that because the hearing mechanism was deep inside the brain, it was inaccessible to study. Back then, everything was blamed on the auditory nerve being dead or dying. That indicated there was no hope of stimulating the auditory portion of the brain due to the dysfunctional auditory nerve. Cochlear implants were being discussed in the 60s, but they were being dissed as a dream of dreamers. Thankfully, those dreamers kept on dreaming and experimenting.

It's a fascinating history. Because of my involvement in SHHH/HLAA, I had a front row seat watching what was happening to those people who agreed to be part of the research programs. I watched what happened with single channel implants, and then with multiple channel implants. I saw friends who could barely carry on a conversation, go from that status to being able to hear better than I was hearing with my hearing aids. And, it has gotten better with each upgrade available. I feel so fortunate to be a benefactor of cochlear implant research. I had my cochlear implant in 2005. My only regret is that I didn't do it sooner.

I am not sure exactly when Mayo Clinic Connect and HLAA got together, but it was not that long ago; perhaps 2018?