Cochlear Implant - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

feelgood · 09-20-2004, 06:01 PM

Did a search in the TFP and didn't find anything....

Right now, my usual audiologist suggested that I get myself a cochlear implant. So, I set myself a couple of appointment with Calgary Health's audiologist since my audiologist wasn't affliciated with the Calgary Regional Health Authority.

Anyways, so, I've gone to the first appointment last Friday which the first 2 appointment is the assessment appointment in which they gotta test me to see if I'm eligable for it. The cochlear implant audiologist briefed me on what exactly it is and answered my questions regarding it.

Here's some cochlear implant information for those of you who are curious. http://www.entnet.org/healthinfo/ear...ar-implant.cfm

So, the risk that's involved in getting one is that I would lose what's left of my hearing since I am profoundly deaf but I still hear with my hearing aid. I'm not really sure about the feasiability of getting one over sticking with my analog hearing aid or getting digital hearing aid.

I've considered digital hearing aid but my audiologist advised me against it since it cost more for little improvement compared to what I have right now.

I've hear all the praise and everything about the implants. I've considered all the consequences but my biggest fear is that what if cochlear implant doesn't turn out to be so great after all?

Know anybody who had a cochlear implant and what was it like for them?

spindles · 09-20-2004, 06:17 PM

I have a friend who is getting one soon. He has had his assessment appointment.

He has been almost completely deaf since birth, and has really bad hearing in one ear only. He is not moving from a particularly high base

His take at the moment is "I don't have much to lose". I guess it is a gamble, but as long as you go in with your eyes open...

Anyway, I will post back after he has it done, and let you know how it goes.

avsdude · 09-21-2004, 07:52 AM

My youngest daughter who is 3 1/2 has a cochlear implant. She was implanted when she was 20 months old. It was a very tough decision for us, but at this point it was definitely the right one. She went from being profoundly deaf and really getting no benefit from hearing aids, to testing out with just a mild loss.

We learned ASL and that was our main means of communication with her. She goes to speech therapy twice a week. After a slow start, her speech has really started to take off. She is speaking in three and four word sentences now.

I believe that a persons sucess with a cochlear implant is very dependant on the cochlear implant team. My advice would be to talk to as many different surgeons and audiologist as you can even if it means traveling to do it. Ask how many implants they have done, how many cochlear implant patients the audiologist has, do they have experence with the different brands of cochlear implants, etc.

Let me know if you have any questions I can answer.

feelgood · 09-21-2004, 09:57 AM

I've been thinking about undertaking ASL again. I mean, I've used it before after recovering from my sickness that resulted in deafness. But since I was a kid, I've pretty much out grown it once I learn how to speak and listen.

Did you ask the audiologist if there was some chance that with cochlear implant that there will still be some degradation in your daughter's hearing?

avsdude · 09-21-2004, 03:13 PM

If I understand your question correctly, there will be no degradation of hearing from this point. As I'm sure you know, the cochlear implant bypasses the whole ear drum moving the fluid in the cochlea which moves the hair cells. The implant sends electrical impluses directly to hearing nerve, so the amount of stimulation the nerve gets may need to be increased over time.

We decided to learn ASL to give our daughter a choice later in life and to have a backup for times that she is not wearing her implant. I think being able to comunicate is the important part, not the method. We're not as accomplished in ASL as we probably should be, its hard getting better when the only time you use it outside of the family is with the sign language teacher once a week.

Before our daughter got her implant, we met a few adults who had got one later in life and everyone of them thought they made a great choice. The only downside was the way they were treated like an outsider by the deaf culture.

feelgood · 05-15-2005, 11:37 PM

Well, this is it.

The surgery is coming up fast on the 31st. Although, I'm not looking forward to it, much less, staying overnight in the hospital.

On a side note, I'll be sure to make note of my experience and take pictures of where the doctor performed the operation on.

Quote:

Originally Posted by avsdude

The only downside was the way they were treated like an outsider by the deaf culture.

That's exactly what I feel nowaday. I don't mind anyways.

amonkie · 05-16-2005, 04:39 AM

I'll definitely keep you in my thoughts, feelgood. I also have deafness from meningitis as a baby, and when I consulted with my audiologist, it was decided that I would not beneft from a cochlear implant, even though my hearing is completely gone in my left and profound in my right. From her description, people who end up having cochlear implants hear the world as if everyone talks/sounds like Donald Duck. That sounded like a regression from the quality that I'm able to hear with my Perseo digital. I've noticed a WORLD of difference from my analog - I could never go back to analog now, and feel the $3,000 was well worth it.

As far as ASL, the same thing happened to me - I was fluent and used both ASL and conversational English until I was 10, and then the school district I attended refused to provide supplemental ASL time. As a result, I've grown rusty from lack of use, and now primarily use lipreading.

Good luck on your surgery, I hope this turns out well and gives you the increased peace of mind with additional clarity of hearing.

09-20-2004, 06:01 PM	#1 (permalink)
feelgood Free Mars! Location: I dunno, there's white people around me saying "eh" all the time	Cochlear Implant Did a search in the TFP and didn't find anything.... Right now, my usual audiologist suggested that I get myself a cochlear implant. So, I set myself a couple of appointment with Calgary Health's audiologist since my audiologist wasn't affliciated with the Calgary Regional Health Authority. Anyways, so, I've gone to the first appointment last Friday which the first 2 appointment is the assessment appointment in which they gotta test me to see if I'm eligable for it. The cochlear implant audiologist briefed me on what exactly it is and answered my questions regarding it. Here's some cochlear implant information for those of you who are curious. http://www.entnet.org/healthinfo/ear...ar-implant.cfm So, the risk that's involved in getting one is that I would lose what's left of my hearing since I am profoundly deaf but I still hear with my hearing aid. I'm not really sure about the feasiability of getting one over sticking with my analog hearing aid or getting digital hearing aid. I've considered digital hearing aid but my audiologist advised me against it since it cost more for little improvement compared to what I have right now. I've hear all the praise and everything about the implants. I've considered all the consequences but my biggest fear is that what if cochlear implant doesn't turn out to be so great after all? Know anybody who had a cochlear implant and what was it like for them? __________________ Looking out the window, that's an act of war. Staring at my shoes, that's an act of war. Committing an act of war? Oh you better believe that's an act of war

09-20-2004, 06:17 PM	#2 (permalink)
spindles Mine is an evil laugh Location: Sydney, Australia	I have a friend who is getting one soon. He has had his assessment appointment. He has been almost completely deaf since birth, and has really bad hearing in one ear only. He is not moving from a particularly high base His take at the moment is "I don't have much to lose". I guess it is a gamble, but as long as you go in with your eyes open... Anyway, I will post back after he has it done, and let you know how it goes. __________________ who hid my keyboard's PANIC button?

09-21-2004, 09:57 AM	#4 (permalink)
feelgood Free Mars! Location: I dunno, there's white people around me saying "eh" all the time	I've been thinking about undertaking ASL again. I mean, I've used it before after recovering from my sickness that resulted in deafness. But since I was a kid, I've pretty much out grown it once I learn how to speak and listen. Did you ask the audiologist if there was some chance that with cochlear implant that there will still be some degradation in your daughter's hearing? __________________ Looking out the window, that's an act of war. Staring at my shoes, that's an act of war. Committing an act of war? Oh you better believe that's an act of war

05-16-2005, 04:39 AM	#7 (permalink)
amonkie Drifting Administrator Location: Windy City	I'll definitely keep you in my thoughts, feelgood. I also have deafness from meningitis as a baby, and when I consulted with my audiologist, it was decided that I would not beneft from a cochlear implant, even though my hearing is completely gone in my left and profound in my right. From her description, people who end up having cochlear implants hear the world as if everyone talks/sounds like Donald Duck. That sounded like a regression from the quality that I'm able to hear with my Perseo digital. I've noticed a WORLD of difference from my analog - I could never go back to analog now, and feel the $3,000 was well worth it. As far as ASL, the same thing happened to me - I was fluent and used both ASL and conversational English until I was 10, and then the school district I attended refused to provide supplemental ASL time. As a result, I've grown rusty from lack of use, and now primarily use lipreading. Good luck on your surgery, I hope this turns out well and gives you the increased peace of mind with additional clarity of hearing. __________________ Calling from deep in the heart, from where the eyes can't see and the ears can't hear, from where the mountain trails end and only love can go... ~~~ Three Rivers Hare Krishna

09-21-2004, 07:52 AM	#3 (permalink)
avsdude Whatever Location: Littleton, CO	My youngest daughter who is 3 1/2 has a cochlear implant. She was implanted when she was 20 months old. It was a very tough decision for us, but at this point it was definitely the right one. She went from being profoundly deaf and really getting no benefit from hearing aids, to testing out with just a mild loss. We learned ASL and that was our main means of communication with her. She goes to speech therapy twice a week. After a slow start, her speech has really started to take off. She is speaking in three and four word sentences now. I believe that a persons sucess with a cochlear implant is very dependant on the cochlear implant team. My advice would be to talk to as many different surgeons and audiologist as you can even if it means traveling to do it. Ask how many implants they have done, how many cochlear implant patients the audiologist has, do they have experence with the different brands of cochlear implants, etc. Let me know if you have any questions I can answer.

09-21-2004, 03:13 PM	#5 (permalink)
avsdude Whatever Location: Littleton, CO	If I understand your question correctly, there will be no degradation of hearing from this point. As I'm sure you know, the cochlear implant bypasses the whole ear drum moving the fluid in the cochlea which moves the hair cells. The implant sends electrical impluses directly to hearing nerve, so the amount of stimulation the nerve gets may need to be increased over time. We decided to learn ASL to give our daughter a choice later in life and to have a backup for times that she is not wearing her implant. I think being able to comunicate is the important part, not the method. We're not as accomplished in ASL as we probably should be, its hard getting better when the only time you use it outside of the family is with the sign language teacher once a week. Before our daughter got her implant, we met a few adults who had got one later in life and everyone of them thought they made a great choice. The only downside was the way they were treated like an outsider by the deaf culture.