Cochlear Implants: How well do they work at an older age?

Off to Mayo again this morning. Turns out I could hear the 'story' my Audi told me as a test of the CI, without the HA - or at least enough of the words to understand most of what she was saying. Still lots of noise but she commented that usually resolves itself in from a week to a month normally. The brain replaces noise with understandable sounds as I understand it. I also got something special to see. One of her patients was undergoing CI surgery and she needed to take a break to do a 5 plus or minus test. It is apparently the same test I had when undergoing the surgery (she had told me she would be doing a test during surgery). The marvels of technology! I assumed she would have to be there - not true - she can do it remotely. Of course I immediately wanted to know how I had done. So I got to share my 'A' with our over achievers gang (even all our in-laws are over achievers) and none of them have any intention of letting me skimp on my homework.

This week consists of one half hour to 2 hours of just using the CI without the HA - watching something with closed captions. Bill read his latest blog to me while I read over his shoulder. Lady Gray, our overachiever kitty who adopted us (hey she can spot an easy touch) sat on my lap for fifteen minutes while I talked to her. She listened well. Saturday I get to do my homework with Grandson Owen who just learned his first word, Mama. So he can teach me! His Dad is supplying me with a hardcopy and audio version of The Game of Thrones. I have a feeling I will have more homework thrown my way by the tribe then hours in the day. They will show no mercy! I've been lucky to have complete support from all family members - from all sides of the family. Which makes everything so much easier.

When I got home (with no wild traffic going-ons) I discovered that I could hear Bill out of the CI ear (before the HA seemed to be doing all the work and the CI just introduced a lot of random noise. And that noise had even toned down some.

Well, between the TV, computer reading, Bill and Lady Gray I am well over my two hours of homework Oh, I forgot, I even went on the AB site where they give you things to test out. Time to relax - or maybe watch a movie (I had given up on them as I couldn't hear half the words). And then blessed bedtime when I can take off the HA and CI!

Next Wednesday I head back to Mayo for more tweaking, etc. What also amazes me about Mayo is that my surgeon, Dr W, keeps abreast of how I'm doing. Most surgeons that I know of, once they have cleared you as good to go, have finished their job. Apparently, at least with Mayo, a cochlear implant patient is a friend for life. And I gather AB (and the others) take the same attitude. Good to know.

As my Audi said, yesterday - Activation Day - was my worse day. That glass is going to get fuller every day.

Your detailed experiences with your prep, your surgery and your activation are SO helpful to read. I may be a candidate for this procedure in the future and this is all extremely valuable information. Thank you so much!

Good luck in your journey. Everyone reacts differently, yet there are so many similarities it is nice to have a feeling of what to expect and/or look for. I have a text friend (actually my daughter's friend who first brought up the cochlear implant to Robin. She had the first one done years ago and things didn't go well - then she switched to Mayo (AZ) and she said the difference in care was amazing. And the groups on the internet are great sources for information.

Wishing you and your family a wonderful holiday season.

This is the unofficial rule of "Each One; Reach One". It really does help to share our experiences even though they are not all alike. Prior to my CI, I had met many others with CIs through HLAA. It gave me the confidence I needed to move forward. So glad I did.

My cat, Lady Gray, actually makes a loud sound when she meows! Even with HAs I thought she was a silent meower. Who knew!

Yesterday I had a our clan get together - 14 kids and grandkids and two greats. So at least 3 to 4 conversations going on at once. And because they were all important to me the brain tried to listen to all of them rather than blocking out background noise. Talk about overload. They were all good about facing me and talking into my good ear when talking directly to me. One of the interesting things I discovered was when one first arrived for the first 5 minutes talking with them it was difficult to understand them then it seemed like the brain kicked in and recognized the voice and it was much easier. Each voice sounded like what I 'remembered'. No chipmunks or robots among them.

What I'm not sure of is if this was due to the HA or combination. I have the AB/Phonak and they 'talk' to each other. I was picking up noise on the CI side as well. By 9:30pm I was pretty tired.

I had spent the morning doing homework. For about two hours I used only the CI with the left ear plugged at least to some degree. I listened to an audio book and read the eBook along with it on the computer. I didn't seem to have any problem hearing every word. Mostly sounded normal. When I listened to oldies with just the CI I had the lyrics show - for the most part I didn't have any problems hearing the music, although it didn't sound like when I listened with both HA and CI (when it sounded normal). With just the CI the artist didn't sound like themselves although I could make out the words.

I'm not sure if when I'm wearing the HA and CI if the HA is doing the work and the CI is making the weird noise background. Or when I'm wearing just the CI and I'm hearing pretty well if it isn't my left ear with some hearing that is doing the work.

Bill's hearing aids had a problem and not working so he turned the TV up to full volume (his TV streamer wouldn't work) and I got blasted out of the house! He doesn't like using CCs - he has memory issues now. Ten days before he gets those puppies back - ouch!

Family are all busy calling on the phone (it streams into my ears) to give me practice on the phone. So I am getting a wide range of voices.

What was interesting yesterday is DIL Cindy has such a low voice everyone in the family has a problem hearing her - but for the first time I could actually make out what she was saying. Sort of a Lady Gray and her meow moment.

One thing is sure - my whole family will keep my feet to the fire and keep me honest in doing my homework! And they all had to inspect my 'headpiece'.

However, reading/listening to the book is driving me nuts as I'm a very fast reader and find it very hard not to get far ahead of of the 'speech'.. So I have to force myself to 'read along'.

Anyone have other suggestions for homework? Just asking for a friend lol.

What a wonderful thorough report. I'm sure doing the homework and practicing with family is going to give you the best possible outcome.
Sue

You are a poster child for success with a CI. Thank you for sharing your very positive experiences. I'm bimodal, and much of what you've shared mirrors my own experience. Do you know what auditory fatigue is? It's real. Be sure to take a break now and then. 🙂

I'm noticing a lot of noise in CI when the TV is on, even on mute. Not sure if simply picking up electronic signals, that the brain will figure out sooner or later. When that noise is playing over the top of everything I find I get tired fairly quickly. Also long phone conversations at this point can get tiring. Of course, before I missed most of the conversation. Thank you for your encouragement! Means a lot.

Is that noise in CI when the TV is on coming to you when you are using both technologies or just the CI?

Tends to be using either/both. Last night I didn't have it watching a movie.