Your Audiologist might be able to extend the trail period if you ask - or test out another one because if you do the Cochlear Implant the side that is done will have the piece you will need - and you would probably need a whole different one for the other ear. So I would definitely wait in purchasing a set until you know if the Implant will work for you.

And yes, they should test you on a good hearing aid as well when they do the tests. But don't do a dumb thing like I did and basically 'cheat'. I've been so used to filling in words that when I took the test with the HAs I automatically filled in the blanks, which made it appear I was hearing better than I was! When they did the test with noise and the hearing aids I couldn't even get one right, at which point the audiologist figured out I wasn't hearing most conversations. Over the years I've gotten very good at faking hearing conversations. My family didn't catch on for years and one son is still convinced I hear everything he says over the phone (boy is he wrong!)

Today I went to lunch with son and daughter and basically enjoyed being with them. The one hearing aid I was able to use on the left side kept turning on and off and didn't seen to want to work well at all. I suspect it might be because the right side (which I can't use now) is the controlling HA? The right side one just wanted to whistle, driving both Robin and Craig nuts and not helping the left side at all. For past two days it hasn't streamed into my Iphone either, which means being on the phone is really hard.

Until they activate me I won't have hearing on the right side where the implant has been done. So I shall just smile a lot. Understand I'm going to have a lot of re-learning to do and they won't just be able to flip a switch and I'll be able to hear. Becoming a bionic woman is a lot of hard work, but hopefully will be well worth it in the end. I'm more than willing to put the time in - today was so hard sitting there and unable to join in the conversation, and when I did I wasn't sure I wasn't shouting as I couldn't hear myself.

Good luck with your venture and wishing the very best for you. If you have any questions this is a wonderful group for getting answers and support.

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