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My Cochlear Implant Story: Hook Up Day
Last Updated: Aug. 7, 2002
I thought I'd share my surgery and hookup story with everyone. It's not the same for everyone. I lost most of my hearing due to high fever of 106 for a week at age 18 months, but I was already speaking in sentences then. I wore a hearing aid from age 4 until my cochlear implant hook up day on Oct. 22, 1999.
After surgery on Sept. 17, 1999: It went very well for me. Although there was no nausea or headaches, I did have some dizziness, which was worst after surgery, but subsided with time and was gone in about 3 days. Good thing about it for me was that it was so nice to get to lounge in bed, watch TV, read, and have some visitors! I went back to work one week after surgery. It's just about two weeks out of my whole life to go through this, and it's worth it.
Hook up day: Oct. 22, 1999 I went alone, and when the audiologist Jill turned my processor on for the first time I heard a loud steady hum and asked what's that? The computer. Few seconds later I started to hear her talking to me through the loud hum of the computer. A few minutes later the hum softened and her voice was louder. I asked Jill did she turn down the hum? She said she didn't do anything; it's my brain adjusting and filtering the sounds! More minutes later her voice sounded more female. Later I was hearing voices outside the room. Very exciting! That was just the beginning.
Jill cautioned me to start low and turn up volume/sensitivity as comfort allowed. Well, when I got to the car in the hospital parking lot, I turned on the radio! As I drove out to the highway, I rolled down the windows to hear and absorb sounds from cars and trucks! Rolled up the windows and started talking and singing! Adjusted my voice, too. Enjoyed listening, talking, and singing all the way home which was an hour drive from Baltimore, MD to Arlington, VA., where I live. When I got into my apt. I turned on the TV, walked about the room listening to sounds from walls, floors, appliances, and everything! Later I took the elevator to the food court to listen to crowds! Went from store to store to listen to different acoustics, and that's when I learned that stores play music. In Safeway I was enjoying hearing the music that I almost said to others "isn't that great music" but didn't. I was so amazed at what I was hearing and continue to be so!
Communication with hearing people come easy now without straining to hear and understand along with lipreading like I used to with my hearing aid which was at 50 DB for me. I find myself much more relaxed now, even in a very noisy environment! This is what I wanted out of the cochlear implant. I didn't expect to be able to use the phone, which is why I'm not disappointed. My auditory therapist says I do have the potential to be able to use the phone so I'm working on that. However, if that doesn't work out, I'm still very happy with it. Knowing that it gets better with time is a plus!
I'll add here some experiences from time to time. I hope my story above helps you get an idea of what's it like for me. I've learned that cochlear implant users don't experience the same thing, and each has her/his own story to share. I'll be adding links here to connect to others with their experiences.
Hugs,
Marilyn (Clarion S Series)
Mar. 30, 2002 Update:
I got Clarion Platinum Behind the Ear (BTE) hook up on Mar. 15, 2002. I love it because I don't have to take it off when I go to the bathroom nor do I have to worry about what to wear---where will I put the Body Worn Processor (BWP) if I have a dress with no belt or pockets? It sounds just as good as the BWP to me. The only drawback is the short battery life as mine lasts 4 hours each. I just have to watch my battery supply, making sure I start the day with 4 fully charged batteries! I also take the recharger to work so I can be recharging batteries while I'm working and not worry about running out of recharged batteries by end of day.
I still have to read lips while hearing with my CI, but I'm still very happy with it. I continue to work on hearing without lipreading by listening to audio books and reading text (the book) along with it. That's a big help. I still need to work on listening on the telephone, which is something I don't work very hard at. I tend to resort to emails and fax.
Hugs,
Marilyn
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Some suggested websites on hearing loss and cochlear implants:
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Marilyn and Hummer
(3 1/2 months old)
taken Apr. 20, 2002
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