Hello, i have severe hearing loss and tinnitus in both ears. I am currently looking to do a cochlear implant in one ear at a time. I have not been able to find anyone talking about the success rate for this as my issue, nor long term abbility . How long can this work for me? what can i expect. everyone tells me that each persons experience is different so it is hard to predict the outcome?? can anyone help me with these answers??
thank you !
God Bless
Johnnyb7
I’m answering myself if anyone was wondering! Lol
I had my IC done in January 2018, I went from 14% hearing words to 93%. 9% to 73% with sentences! I am so greatful!!
The tinnitus actually improved greatly! I only have what I call summer night sounds which is a Blessing for sleeping!!
I could hear words and understand words at my activation. Sounds are still coming along but is improving.
I did have a headache for about two weeks after my activation because now I was hearing so much that I had not heard for years!
I am not depressed my life is so much better!!!
I can not express how greatful I am!
I thank God for giving man the wisdom to make this possible!
I know this is an older thread, but I am a CI user for over 5 years, they are simply wonderful. A question was asked about music, for me, music sounds like it did before I lost my hearing. It took some time and the help of my skilled audiologists to get me where I am, but I love listening to music! Feel free to ask any other questions, I'm happy to help.
I have been following the Hearing Loss thread but feel I should share on this one. I had Cochlear Implant surgery just 2 weeks ago and I am thrilled. I could hear right away, the audiologist and my husband, and it has improved daily. I heard sleet on our glass roof the other day, and hear my little grandsons high voices. And it is supposed to continue to improve for months even year. My story before very similar to those on HL thread. Just about deaf for 3 years, and modest hearing for 4 yrs previous with HA in both ears. Could “hear” face to face one on one and the rest downhill. Continued to work as an interior designer but with difficulty, used email for the most part. Couldn’t talk on telephone hear TV and so on and so forth. I loved the silence when I could turn my HA off because all background noise eliminated. Was afraid I would miss that using CI but not so. I love turning it on and hearing! Background noise not an issue. My experience with Johns Hopkins in Maryland was wonderful, from surgeon to attendants to audiologist. It was a process to get to CI, knew so little about and knew no one with one so it took almost a year of research to make the decision. A long journey but so successful and happy now. A whole new life! And I should add HLAA helped me make the final decision, went to chapter (headquarters) in Bethesda, Md. last summer and met 2 that is 2 women with CI. A first for me. From that point the journey to CI surgery was on its way.
I am being evaluated for a CI in May. Before that, I am meeting with doctors at Columbia Presbyterian and at
NYC Langhone Center. Does anyone have experience having an implant from either of these places? I am 79, so
concerned that I am too old. I am deaf in one ear and use a hearing aid in the other, but I really can only hear
using my FM device and holding the transmitter near the speaker.
I am being evaluated for a CI in May. Before that, I am meeting with doctors at Columbia Presbyterian and at
NYC Langhone Center. Does anyone have experience having an implant from either of these places? I am 79, so
concerned that I am too old. I am deaf in one ear and use a hearing aid in the other, but I really can only hear
using my FM device and holding the transmitter near the speaker.
@adela, you're never too old for a cochlear implant. I interviewed a number of otologists for my book Smart Hearing on the subject of age and c.i.s. They all said they had operated successfully on patients in their 80's and 90's. You are lucky to live near Columbia Presbyterian and NYU Langone. They are both excellent cochlear implant centers.
@adela, you're never too old for a cochlear implant. I interviewed a number of otologists for my book Smart Hearing on the subject of age and c.i.s. They all said they had operated successfully on patients in their 80's and 90's. You are lucky to live near Columbia Presbyterian and NYU Langone. They are both excellent cochlear implant centers.
Had a CI done a year ago. You need to spend time researching which one to get – there are 3 FDA approved ones. Had no issues at all with the operation – small incision behind ear, no vertigo, able to shower the next day, no hair shaving. Biggest thing with a CI is you need to do aural rehabilitation and you need to do it a lot – it makes a big difference. I think there is not enough emphasis on the fact that you are now hearing differently and your brain needs sound training. No regrets. Still use a HA on other ear.
The requirement is less than 50% speech scores on the AZ Bio sentence tests, less than 40% if you have Medicare. If you do the testing, make sure you only repeat back the words you actually understand. Do not fill in the blanks as this is a hearing test not a "how well you cope with HA's" test.
The requirement is less than 50% speech scores on the AZ Bio sentence tests, less than 40% if you have Medicare. If you do the testing, make sure you only repeat back the words you actually understand. Do not fill in the blanks as this is a hearing test not a "how well you cope with HA's" test.
Thanks for the tip on the hearing tests. I've been wondering if maybe I score better than I perform in real life. I tend to try really hard to do well – old habits die hard! I think I always take a stab at the words, and – on the tone tests – indicate I've heard the tone even when it's just a slight sensation, not really something I hear as a sound. I'll consider a more relaxed approach the next time!
The requirement is less than 50% speech scores on the AZ Bio sentence tests, less than 40% if you have Medicare. If you do the testing, make sure you only repeat back the words you actually understand. Do not fill in the blanks as this is a hearing test not a "how well you cope with HA's" test.
@tulip, @asklar02492, I'd like to hear from an audiologist on this. I think guessing at the words is actually encouraged — but not because it means you'll do better on the test and thus not be eligible for insurance coverage. The test shows the sounds you can and cannot hear — the various vowel and consonant sounds — and helps the audiologist make a more accurate assessment of your needs. As for the tone test, the tones are repeated and if you miss a tone one time but get it another it doesn't really mean anything because the audiologist can go back and test that same tone again — I think! Are there any audiologists reading this who can confirm or clarify?
Connect
Like
Helpful
Hug
I would like. To apply for this
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsHi this is Johnnyb7,
I’m answering myself if anyone was wondering! Lol
I had my IC done in January 2018, I went from 14% hearing words to 93%. 9% to 73% with sentences! I am so greatful!!
The tinnitus actually improved greatly! I only have what I call summer night sounds which is a Blessing for sleeping!!
I could hear words and understand words at my activation. Sounds are still coming along but is improving.
I did have a headache for about two weeks after my activation because now I was hearing so much that I had not heard for years!
I am not depressed my life is so much better!!!
I can not express how greatful I am!
I thank God for giving man the wisdom to make this possible!
Johnnyb7
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsI know this is an older thread, but I am a CI user for over 5 years, they are simply wonderful. A question was asked about music, for me, music sounds like it did before I lost my hearing. It took some time and the help of my skilled audiologists to get me where I am, but I love listening to music! Feel free to ask any other questions, I'm happy to help.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsI have been following the Hearing Loss thread but feel I should share on this one. I had Cochlear Implant surgery just 2 weeks ago and I am thrilled. I could hear right away, the audiologist and my husband, and it has improved daily. I heard sleet on our glass roof the other day, and hear my little grandsons high voices. And it is supposed to continue to improve for months even year. My story before very similar to those on HL thread. Just about deaf for 3 years, and modest hearing for 4 yrs previous with HA in both ears. Could “hear” face to face one on one and the rest downhill. Continued to work as an interior designer but with difficulty, used email for the most part. Couldn’t talk on telephone hear TV and so on and so forth. I loved the silence when I could turn my HA off because all background noise eliminated. Was afraid I would miss that using CI but not so. I love turning it on and hearing! Background noise not an issue. My experience with Johns Hopkins in Maryland was wonderful, from surgeon to attendants to audiologist. It was a process to get to CI, knew so little about and knew no one with one so it took almost a year of research to make the decision. A long journey but so successful and happy now. A whole new life! And I should add HLAA helped me make the final decision, went to chapter (headquarters) in Bethesda, Md. last summer and met 2 that is 2 women with CI. A first for me. From that point the journey to CI surgery was on its way.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsI am being evaluated for a CI in May. Before that, I am meeting with doctors at Columbia Presbyterian and at
NYC Langhone Center. Does anyone have experience having an implant from either of these places? I am 79, so
concerned that I am too old. I am deaf in one ear and use a hearing aid in the other, but I really can only hear
using my FM device and holding the transmitter near the speaker.
@adela, you're never too old for a cochlear implant. I interviewed a number of otologists for my book Smart Hearing on the subject of age and c.i.s. They all said they had operated successfully on patients in their 80's and 90's. You are lucky to live near Columbia Presbyterian and NYU Langone. They are both excellent cochlear implant centers.
What is the criteria for being eligible for CI?
Combination of the degree of loss and word recognition. The implant center will determine eligibility. If you are on Medicare they also have criteria.
Had a CI done a year ago. You need to spend time researching which one to get – there are 3 FDA approved ones. Had no issues at all with the operation – small incision behind ear, no vertigo, able to shower the next day, no hair shaving. Biggest thing with a CI is you need to do aural rehabilitation and you need to do it a lot – it makes a big difference. I think there is not enough emphasis on the fact that you are now hearing differently and your brain needs sound training. No regrets. Still use a HA on other ear.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsThe requirement is less than 50% speech scores on the AZ Bio sentence tests, less than 40% if you have Medicare. If you do the testing, make sure you only repeat back the words you actually understand. Do not fill in the blanks as this is a hearing test not a "how well you cope with HA's" test.
Thanks for the tip on the hearing tests. I've been wondering if maybe I score better than I perform in real life. I tend to try really hard to do well – old habits die hard! I think I always take a stab at the words, and – on the tone tests – indicate I've heard the tone even when it's just a slight sensation, not really something I hear as a sound. I'll consider a more relaxed approach the next time!
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@tulip, @asklar02492, I'd like to hear from an audiologist on this. I think guessing at the words is actually encouraged — but not because it means you'll do better on the test and thus not be eligible for insurance coverage. The test shows the sounds you can and cannot hear — the various vowel and consonant sounds — and helps the audiologist make a more accurate assessment of your needs. As for the tone test, the tones are repeated and if you miss a tone one time but get it another it doesn't really mean anything because the audiologist can go back and test that same tone again — I think! Are there any audiologists reading this who can confirm or clarify?