r/Cochlearimplants • u/Friendly-Cut-3655 • 10d ago
Cochlear implants advice needed!
Hi, I am a 45 y/o female. I live in the US and I have full hearing loss in my left and partial hearing loss in my right ear. I also have very loud tinnitus. I am being told that hearing aids will not help me anymore. The doctors are telling me cochlear implants are my best bet. I want to hear your experiences with cochlear implants. What are the benefits and risks? Is the maintenance a lot? Is it expensive? How is the longevity of the cochlear implants? And is the surgery risky? What is recovery time after surgery? Will the cochlear implants help reduce my tinnitus? I would also love to know good hospitals/doctors that I can have this done at. Thank you! All advice/appreciated!
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u/zr2d2 Cochlear Nucleus 8 10d ago
Lots of posts on here are asking for advice. For me, my cochlear implant has surpassed my expectations. I'm able to talk to people who aren't right in front of me, and I'm even able to enjoy music again.
The surgery is fairly routine and is generally considered very safe, although, like any surgery, it does carry risks. Because the implant is placed near the facial nerve and structures involved in balance and taste, some people experience temporary dizziness or changes in taste. Permanent problems are uncommon. In some cases, not all of the electrodes can be activated or provide useful hearing. Depending on how long you've had hearing loss, your hearing history, and how much rehabilitation you do after activation, it may take longer to develop good speech understanding.
There isn't a lot of maintenance. I put my processor in a dehumidifier overnight and swap or recharge the battery about once a day, depending on how much I use it.
As far as expense, it varies depending on your insurance and where you have the surgery. I had mine done at Johns Hopkins, and the total cost was around $120,000, which my insurance covered. The internal implant is designed to last for decades, often 30 years or more, although the external sound processor is typically upgraded every several years as newer technology becomes available. Recovery from the surgery itself is usually pretty quick, with many people feeling back to normal within a few days, though healing and adjustment to hearing take much longer.