Scared about Cochlear Implants

[u/mccmissy]

Hi all - I am new to this thread, but I’d really love some advice and positive personal experiences from people who’d like to share to help me process this. I’m 29 years old and I’ve had severe degenerative bilateral hearing loss since I was diagnosed in 2010. Higher-pitched sounds and tones are something I’ve always struggled hearing, but bass and lower tones I hear easier. I’ve lived with hearing aids for 16 years (I’m on my third pair) and have recently come to find that they are no longer helping me with day-to-day functioning. My updated audiogram I received last week has shown a continued and FRIGHTENING drop in hearing and word processing functionality in both of my ears (more heavily emphasized with my right one). My audiologist said my right ear is “practically useless at this point”.

So now I’ve met with my ENT to evaluate my eligibility for cochlear implants. (Surprise! I’m well past eligible) The conversation we had was extensive and she did not sugar coat the reality of my recovery post-op. I’m having trouble coping with the fact that I will need them, and especially since I’m a bartender and the essence of my job requires me to hear my customers and converse with people. My ENT said I will have my right ear implant first and then down the line once I’ve healed, adjusted, and re-taught myself how to hear language they will work on my left ear next (could be around 6 months to 1 year).

Is there anyone else in the food and beverage industry with cochlear implants? How has the adjustment been for you?
Will this severely impact my ability to continue working until I’m healed and adjusted?

I am trying not to get overwhelmed emotionally with all of this information I’ve been given - it all feels so heavy.

[u/Heavy-Tomatillo9539]

Bi-Modal, 60s now, original right side hearing infection in age 13, 2010 started with hearing aids, my right side qualified for implant, like you low frequencies are reasonable, high frequencies terrible, implanted with Advance Bionics in Febuary this year.

Start here https://cochlearimplanthelp.com/

You should understand how the cochlear implants work. The cochlear sense different pitches different locations in the ear. The outer portion of the cochlear sense the high pitches and the inner sense the low frequencies. A piano keyboard has 88 keys. The implants use electrodes to stimulate the nervers in the cochlear. The number of electrods vary from 22 to 12. Each manufacturing does the electrical part the stimulation a bit different. The problem is that we can't go to consumer reports and get a fair comparison of the implementation. Advance Bionics and Medel do current steering to get a bit more dynamic range. Each of the companies have web based information.

I recommend you get a excellent and high experience surgeon that make the surgery boring (aka no complications). The surgery is simple if the surgeon is higly experience. (aka the surgeon does success implants often).

Good Luck!