Hi @lizzy102, I'm just catching up with your message now. I'm shocked that closed captioning is not included in this Mayo Clinic Radio episode. it is dated from 2017, which may predate the closed captioning option on YouTube. Here is another video with Dr. Matthew Carlson, ENT surgeon at Mayo Clinic, talking about Cochlear Implants. This version INCLUDES closed captioning.
Thank you so much, Colleen! I appreciate the video. I have held off CI surgery long enough. I’m going to hustle and figure out the best surgery & rehab center for me and dive in to the evaluation process. I’m lucky, we have an RV so I can go to the best Center (that I can find) and stay nearby for as long as it takes.
If you or anyone else would share information of finding a great team to work with, I would sure appreciate it!
Best, Lizzy
I am considering an implant in left ear, which has a hearing aid. My right ear is almost totally dead. Is it true that hearing through the implant is very different than with an aid since it goes directly to the auditory nerve? Does that mean that all of my hearing that was from the aid will be gone? The aid had helped with volume and my lip reading, but discrimination was very poor. Thanks
I was like you; using a hearing aid on one side, and the other side was nearly deaf. I had been fit with only one aid years before, when I probably should have been fitted with two. Consequently, that unaided ear had sensory deprivation. In 2005 I decided to go for a CI. I was qualified. The medical team suggested doing the aided ear, rather than the ear with sensory deprivation. I was unwilling to lose what I already had, but was willing to take the chance on the poorer ear. That's what I did. Today, nearly 15 years later, I am still bimodal with a CI and a HA. They work well together. That poorer ear has done remarkably well with the CI. I will say that someone from HLAA suggested a few years prior to my CI surgery, that I try using a headset with an audio device on the poorer ear, and to use it in a rehabilitation effort. I did that for 2 years; listening to music, audio tapes, etc. I found that I could not hear speech well without total concentration, but I could enjoy music in a quiet setting. It was a bit like training the ear to hear again even though it never came close to giving me what I was getting with the aided ear. So, long story short. I'm glad I had the CI done on the poorer ear. I'm glad I still am able to use the HA. I know the hearing acuity on that HA ear has become a lot worse and probably qualifies for a CI now, but I'm still scoring high in testing with both technologies, so have put that off. The CI has been nothing short of a miracle for me. I'm very thankful. PS: The add on devices that come with the Cochlear products are incredible. I use the Mini Mic 2+ in most social settings where there is background noise. I hear quite well on the cell phone so don't use the phone clip. Life is good
!
Thank you so much for the reply. My situation is so much like yours. My loss was caused by otosclerosis, which may complicate things. So I will begin the evaluation process soon.
It's not really a "Gift." It's simply exposure to and experience with music as well as training. None of us was born with the ability to perform music. It's learning and practice. "You're never to old to be a beginner."
I am considering an implant in left ear, which has a hearing aid. My right ear is almost totally dead. Is it true that hearing through the implant is very different than with an aid since it goes directly to the auditory nerve? Does that mean that all of my hearing that was from the aid will be gone? The aid had helped with volume and my lip reading, but discrimination was very poor. Thanks
I have an implant in my right ear and use my HA in my left. The two are linked and controlled by my iPhone. Hearing is different with the Cochlear Processor but I rigorously train - even now a year later. With the help of my HA, I feel that the cochlear is such a gift. I can understand my grandkids, listen to music enjoyably, heart the TV, talk to merchants, use the phone on my own. You can read my journey here - My Cochlear Journal.
Hi! Instead of retyping my story, I'll just copy and paste my introduction post. 🙂
Hi! My name is Gerid. I am bi-modal. I've been severe/profound deaf since I was 2 years old from pneumonia. I am currenlt 39 years old. Either the high fever ruined my hearing or the antibiotics did it. Doctors aren't sure but they are leaning towards antibiotics probably being the cause. I have worn HAs all my life up until about 3 years ago when I got my first Cochlear Implant. My word recognition was 24% combined with both hearing aids in. 0% in my right ear. 24% in my left. 6 months after getting an implant, my right ear went from 0% to 66% percent. I am now at a combined 96% word recognition! I am getting my 2nd implant done in July 2019. I wish I had gotten my implants done 5 years sooner but unfortunately I was sucked into a vortex of nasty and untrue rumors/perceptions about Cochlear Implants. I am now a Cochlear Implant volunteer. I am also President of Hearing Loss Association of America, OAK Chapter in Grand Rapids, MI. I work for CaptionCall as well, talking with providers about captioning telephone services. My life is an open book and I love to talk with others about my experiences and connect them with resources to help them seek answers to their own questions.
I am reading all the comments and am very encouraged to learn more about the cochlear implants ... I have been approved and I have complete hearing loss in my left ear and only 20% in right. I have read a few stories in the past regarding cochlear implants and have been afraid to move forward. Yesterday I seen my audiologist and he highly recommended me to make an appointment at Mayo Clinic, so with tears in my eyes and a smile on my face I am calling Monday to schedule my first consultation visit. Your comment is very encouraging. Thank you
I have an implant in my right ear and use my HA in my left. The two are linked and controlled by my iPhone. Hearing is different with the Cochlear Processor but I rigorously train - even now a year later. With the help of my HA, I feel that the cochlear is such a gift. I can understand my grandkids, listen to music enjoyably, heart the TV, talk to merchants, use the phone on my own. You can read my journey here - My Cochlear Journal.
I am reading all the comments and am very encouraged to learn more about the cochlear implants ... I have been approved and I have complete hearing loss in my left ear and only 20% in right. I have read a few stories in the past regarding cochlear implants and have been afraid to move forward. Yesterday I seen my audiologist and he highly recommended me to make an appointment at Mayo Clinic, so with tears in my eyes and a smile on my face I am calling Monday to schedule my first consultation visit. Your comment is very encouraging. Thank you
@rae54 I will be interested to hear what the medical doctors tell you, and what you decide to do. I encourage you to go for it!
My poorer ear was implanted in 2005. I was managing then with a power hearing aid in the other ear, along with constant use of assistive technology. I am still bimodal. At a recent testing I scored 99% word recognition using both technologies. The CI has been amazing. Being bimodal has worked well for me even though the aided ear alone, tests way below what they score together. The CI alone also scores below the bimodal testing. It's remarkable how the brain adapts.
You could use the search bar at the top of this page and enter “My Cochlear Implant - a journal.” I wrote this before I had my implant surgery and continued as time passed. Good luck with whatever your decision is MWBucket!
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Thank you so much, Colleen! I appreciate the video. I have held off CI surgery long enough. I’m going to hustle and figure out the best surgery & rehab center for me and dive in to the evaluation process. I’m lucky, we have an RV so I can go to the best Center (that I can find) and stay nearby for as long as it takes.
If you or anyone else would share information of finding a great team to work with, I would sure appreciate it!
Best, Lizzy
I was like you; using a hearing aid on one side, and the other side was nearly deaf. I had been fit with only one aid years before, when I probably should have been fitted with two. Consequently, that unaided ear had sensory deprivation. In 2005 I decided to go for a CI. I was qualified. The medical team suggested doing the aided ear, rather than the ear with sensory deprivation. I was unwilling to lose what I already had, but was willing to take the chance on the poorer ear. That's what I did. Today, nearly 15 years later, I am still bimodal with a CI and a HA. They work well together. That poorer ear has done remarkably well with the CI. I will say that someone from HLAA suggested a few years prior to my CI surgery, that I try using a headset with an audio device on the poorer ear, and to use it in a rehabilitation effort. I did that for 2 years; listening to music, audio tapes, etc. I found that I could not hear speech well without total concentration, but I could enjoy music in a quiet setting. It was a bit like training the ear to hear again even though it never came close to giving me what I was getting with the aided ear. So, long story short. I'm glad I had the CI done on the poorer ear. I'm glad I still am able to use the HA. I know the hearing acuity on that HA ear has become a lot worse and probably qualifies for a CI now, but I'm still scoring high in testing with both technologies, so have put that off. The CI has been nothing short of a miracle for me. I'm very thankful. PS: The add on devices that come with the Cochlear products are incredible. I use the Mini Mic 2+ in most social settings where there is background noise. I hear quite well on the cell phone so don't use the phone clip. Life is good
!
Thank you so much for the reply. My situation is so much like yours. My loss was caused by otosclerosis, which may complicate things. So I will begin the evaluation process soon.
It's not really a "Gift." It's simply exposure to and experience with music as well as training. None of us was born with the ability to perform music. It's learning and practice. "You're never to old to be a beginner."
I have an implant in my right ear and use my HA in my left. The two are linked and controlled by my iPhone. Hearing is different with the Cochlear Processor but I rigorously train - even now a year later. With the help of my HA, I feel that the cochlear is such a gift. I can understand my grandkids, listen to music enjoyably, heart the TV, talk to merchants, use the phone on my own. You can read my journey here - My Cochlear Journal.
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1 ReactionI am reading all the comments and am very encouraged to learn more about the cochlear implants ... I have been approved and I have complete hearing loss in my left ear and only 20% in right. I have read a few stories in the past regarding cochlear implants and have been afraid to move forward. Yesterday I seen my audiologist and he highly recommended me to make an appointment at Mayo Clinic, so with tears in my eyes and a smile on my face I am calling Monday to schedule my first consultation visit. Your comment is very encouraging. Thank you
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3 ReactionsWhere can I find your journal ?
@rae54 I will be interested to hear what the medical doctors tell you, and what you decide to do. I encourage you to go for it!
My poorer ear was implanted in 2005. I was managing then with a power hearing aid in the other ear, along with constant use of assistive technology. I am still bimodal. At a recent testing I scored 99% word recognition using both technologies. The CI has been amazing. Being bimodal has worked well for me even though the aided ear alone, tests way below what they score together. The CI alone also scores below the bimodal testing. It's remarkable how the brain adapts.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsYou could use the search bar at the top of this page and enter “My Cochlear Implant - a journal.” I wrote this before I had my implant surgery and continued as time passed. Good luck with whatever your decision is MWBucket!
Rae, here is the link to the journal discussion that @lizzy102 started in 2019 and she continues to update:
* My Cochlear Implant - a journal https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/my-cochlear-implant-a-journal/
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