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Hearing Loss: Come introduce yourself and connect with others
Hearing Loss | Last Active: 49 minutes ago | Replies (1519)Comment receiving replies
Over time there has been a lot of discussion on cochlear implants. Look in 'search' and you'll find discussions. Perhaps it's time to start a fresh one!
I believe we are going to see more and more people go the CI route as the criteria for qualification has become less restrictive. Now people with single sided deafness may qualify. Also, those who have what is considered 'severe' hearing loss (not necessarily profound hearing loss), are CI candidates. Unlike hearing aids, in most cases insurance and Medicare cover cochlear implants.
The technology involved in CIs has improved a great deal. There are three manufacturers that provide CIs, and all have excellent products with excellent results.
I was implanted in 2005 with Cochlear America's Freedom implant. It was life changing for me. I am 'bimodal', meaning I use both a hearing aid and a CI. The external equipment is compatible with the internal implant. I have upgraded the external equipment 3 times, and each upgrade is considerably better than the one before it.
What kind of research have you done on CIs?
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Hi Julie, sorry I put Julia before I was text talking. I apologize for that. I have not done any research yet. I do have my CI evaluation set up for August 18 at which time they will test me to see if I qualify and then they’ll introduce me to the three current manufactures. I am told that they all have different technology capabilities so until I really sit down and look at all three of them I won’t know, but I’ll be starting with one on the left and my right ear is stable right now, but I’m anticipating when I wean off the meds that the right ear will start to fail as well so I am trying to get the left CI functioning and getting up to speed on my hearing capabilities preparing for that second one.
Since I now know you have a CI how do you feel about it call I need to take you to get used to it. Do you enjoy life can you listen to music can you hear conversations, have you learned how to decipher sounds now I’m told that’s the most difficult part.