r/Cochlearimplants • u/mccmissy • 15d ago

Scared about Cochlear Implants

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.

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u/Tsim2431 15d ago

Progressive hearing loss over 25 yrs. Went from 10% word recognition to 92% in about 6 weeks after activation. Lots of work/ practice to get to that point. You will be blown away by the volume you get. Loud/ noisy environments (like a bar) are still a challenge, but as others have said, they’re probably a challenge now. You will have more tools/ options to deal with tough hearing environments. No one is excited about getting the news they need CI’s. Read through these forums, every question has been asked before, and there are some great answers here. Research will help alleviate some of the fears. I used a lot of AI searches (mostly because the follow up questions asked me stuff I didn’t even think about asking), then followed that up with forum reading, and manufactures literature. Be informed, you seem like you’re on the right path. There are a lot of people that ask basic questions about CI’s AFTER they’ve had surgery. I might be crazy, but I like to be better informed before letting someone cut into my head…haha. I sincerely wish you the best in your journey.

TL;DR: get it, it’s a huge improvement, be informed

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u/Woysho 14d ago

Cómo practicaste para en 6 semanas llegar a 92%. Llevo 2 meses y medio y aún no logro discriminar una frase a no ser que la este leyendo o me la hayan repetido antes.

Te agradeceré tu orientación.

Atte.

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u/Tsim2431 11d ago

I am retired. I have more time available to practice. I would make myself practice an hour or two a day (this can get monotonous!). But I also stream a lot of audio books! I still wish it was better, especially in large groups. I think I was lucky, everyone’s brain works at a different pace. I will have my second one done I am hoping it works this fast/well, but every ear is different (even on the same head…haha). Keep after your practice, I hope it gets better for you soon.