Implants for senior person wearing Phonak bi-cross audeo paradise aids

First and foremost, I’m assuming that you’ve had this discussion with your ENT Specialist; if not that’s where I’d start. I’m 72, and suffered an acute single-sided Sensory hearing loss to my R-ear in May 2019 due to being exposed to a 15-20 min loud, screeching noise while wearing a single headset.
I was seen by an Neuro-Otologist shortly thereafter noting a 76% Speech Recognition post injury, down from 96%.
I was fitted with a Phonak for my E-ear, which essentially did nothing for me.
Fast forward to June 2023 and my Speech Recognition had diminished to 42%, making me eligible for the CROS device you mentioned, along with either a BAHA 6 or Cochlear-OSIA 2 bone conduction implant device, which I was able to demo all three.
Not being a fan of placing a hearing aid on and off; I certainly could not imagine having to place two hearing-aid devices in a daily basis; therefore opted for the OSIA 2 implant surgery which I can go into more detail later if interested. I just had my surgery in August 3 and scheduled for my fitting/programming next week, and happy to discuss the results after that if interested.
In full disclosure my costs were covered by my Workman’s Compensation group; therefore, can’t speak to the total cost that may have been incurred with your CROS, or other bone conduction implants u mentioned.
My point is that the OSIA 2 may be a viable option to discuss with your ENT Specialist? I was also made aware that if my OSIA 2 was not helping over time that the more traditional Cochlear Implant “may” be necessary. One final note is that the OSIA 2 does have advantages over CROS devices. Good luck! FYI; the OSIA 2 transducer utilizes a magnet that will adhere to the under the scalp magnetic which is connected to a small 4mm titanium piece which is placed into the boney structure in back of your ear. I had little or no discomfort post operatively

Does the ear that is receiving the signal from the bi cross transmitter experience hearing loss? I ask that question because if you are experiencing hearing loss in both ears, the options may be different.

I wore a bicross hearing system for years. However, the hearing in both ears wasn't all that different according to tests. What happened was that unaided ear ended up with 'sensory deprivation'. It didn't have to hear so it just 'lost interest'. Again, this was years ago when bicross systems had just been developed. That is why I asked about the hearing in your 'unaided' ear.

If you live near a cochlear implant center, I encourage you to schedule an appointment to be tested. For me, it was life changing. I had the implant done in the ear that wasn't hearing due to bicross. I chose that, but I also spent a year prior to CI surgery working to get that ear to listen. I used a portable radio and strong headphones. It worked. I love my cochlear implant. I still have a hearing aid in the ear that had been aided. When tested with both technologies my word recognition is around 95%. When tested with only the hearing aid it's around 10%. The CI alone gets around 75%. It's very obvious to me that I benefit greatly from both technologies used together.

Age should not a factor in your decision.

Good morning, Julie, sorry for the delay. My right ear has the transmitter that gets sent to left ear that has some loss. I'm glad your CI is so good and that is probably my path. Thank you.

No problem with the delay. I wish you luck on your hearing loss journey and possible cochlear implant decision. The only regret I have about my cochlear implant is that I didn't have it done sooner! It's been a real game changer, and it would have made a positive difference in my 'career years'. Julie

Thanks, may I ask the cost and how it was covered. Thank you.
Michael

Michael

I'm 76 and have a Bi-Cros also but I am not eligible for a Cochlear because my word recognition is too high in my "good" right ear to qualify under Medicare Insurance even though the good ear has moderate to severe hearing loss. The left ear is severe to profound. It's upsetting to me because I can't understand 85% of speech if there's any ambient background sound of any kind yet they base the word recognition score in a sound proof booth which isn't a true indicator of real life.
Judy

Who is telling you that you are not eligible for a cochlear implant? Have you been tested at a cochlear implant surgery center? Tests done there are more in depth than they are in a base audiology office.

I ask those questions because the criteria standards have been lowered considerably to include people with single sided deafness and also people with moderately severe hearing loss. Sadly, some hearing healthcare professionals don't seem to be aware of these new standards.

If you qualify for a cochlear implant and have problems getting insurance or Medicare to pay their share of the costs, the cochlear implant manufacturers have advocates that will work on that for you.

I encourage you to go to http://www.acia.org for further information.

Sorry for my response delay Michael. My implant was done when I was still on my employer's insurance. Cochlear Americas, my choice of CI brand, went to bat for me and succeeded in getting insurance coverage. I ended up paying about a $2000 co-pay then. I don't know the full cost of the procedure, but it was around $50K.

Medicare has covered the cost of upgraded processors for me three times since I was implanted. Yes, there was a co-pay for that too. Processor's are in the $15,000 range, and my cost has been 20%. There are some Medicare plans that fully cover CI surgery and CI upgrades. They vary by provider. I think they also vary by region of the country.

Thank you, that's helpful information for me to work with. I appreciate it.
Michael

I concur with earlier response by Julie who questioned your not being eligible based on your good ear being at 85%. In comparison my good L-ear is between 85-95% and my injured bad R-ear has dropped from 76% post single sided sensory injury in May 2019 to 42% this past July. The Phonak single sided hearing aid did little or nothing to improve the hearing in R-ear for obvious physiological limitations. PLEASE see a specialty hearing center as I believe my only primary criteria was my speech/word recognition had to be below 60%. I demo’d the CROSS, BAHA6 and OSIA 2 bone conduction implant devices and opted for the OSIA 2. Happy to explain why at a later time. I agree a controlled environment for my demo’s aren’t realistic to the real outside world conditions, so we’ll see. My surgery took place on Aug 3 and my scheduled fitting/programming had to be rescheduled from Aug. 30 to Sept 15 due to the near miss hurricane we experienced, so can’t speak to how it’s working; however, can comment that the surgery left me with little or no post operative discomfort.
In full disclosure based on my hearing loss being work related I was blessed that my Workman’s Compensation group covered my surgery, etc thanks to excellent documentation by my Neuro-Otologist and Audiologist. It’s left to be seen whether the OSIA 2 will provide the results so many others are pleased with; therefore, can’t speak to whether your out of pocket expenses will be worth it as you know the results are based on unique individual experiences. Wishing you all the best of luck.