Peer support is so valuable.

I hope you can find someone who has had the Osia 2. I was implanted with the Cochlear Freedom in 2005, and have done very well bimodally with a hearing aid on one side and the CI on the other. I've been able to upgrade the processors and currently use the N6, hoping to hold off upgrading until the next generation is available. Cochlear has been wonderful. My only regret is not doing it sooner. I was 65 when I had the surgery.

You said that your doctor is in Madison WI. Do you live in Wisconsin? Are you aware of the HLAA Chapter in the Madison area? There are several people in that chapter who have cochlear implants. I don't know about the Osia 2 as that relatively new, but they may know people in the area with that device. Fox Valley (Appleton, Neenah, Menasha, etc.) also has a chapter that has many CI users.

I'm involved with the HLAA Chapter in Appleton WI. We have a cochlear implant group that meets via Zoom every other month. People from all over the state, and a few other places, attend those meetings. The help and support we get from one another is amazing. It's a forum to learn, to share, and to problem solve.

The cochlear implant I use has been life changing. I'm so glad I did it. The implant is internal. It does not bother me when sleeping. Of course I don't wear the processor then.

If you want to send me a personal message, I can put you in touch with some of the HLAA folks in Wisconsin if you are interested. Otherwise, I suggest you check out the HLAA website: http://www.hearingloss.org The HLAAWI website is at: http://www.hlaawi.org We'd love to meet you!

Julie Olson

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