Pros and Cons of Cochlear Implants

[Mike Bir]

I am considering getting a Cochlear Implant as my hearing has dropped below the realm of human voices and my aid does not help me with this. I was born deaf in one ear and am now have profound loss in my other. When I attended my local community college I took ASL as I knew this day was coming. There where 4 people that had cochlear Implants in my classes over the 2 semesters and 3 out of 4 said they did not work for them ( this was over 20 yrs. ago ). I am sure the technology has gotten much better since then, but as I embark on this journey I need more information ( as much as possible ) to help me make the right decision. I own my own business ( Building Contractor, that specializes in Remodeling and Home Repair ) talking to my clients is getting much harder! I have had Tinnitus for the last 50 yrs. and it makes hearing voices harder if they aren't speaking above the ringing.

 

[LoveBlue]

Have you looked for community forums for the 3 brands of CIs? Also, have you talked with CI company reps? They SHOULD offer to get you in touch with other CI users (mentors).

Though I don't want to "push a brand", I will share the community forum website for my brand (Advanced Bionics). I suggest you see if there are forums for the other brands so you can "compare".

HearingJourney

hearingjourney.com

I'm a late deafened bilateral CI recipient. I know of deaf/Deaf who have had success with their CIs.

 

[Jane B.]

Mike Bir

Real-time Call Caption App | Android & Iphone | InnoCaption

InnoCaption provides real-time captioning of phone calls through a mobile app. We empower individuals with hearing loss to make calls with confidence.

www.innocaption.com

In the mean time while you are trying to finish your research about a CI, you might want to visit the site I referenced above. They provide captioning on cell phones that can be set so that calls to your regular cell number use automatic call forwarding and caller ID functions. I have used them for years and really like them.

 

[Mike Bir]

Have you looked for community forums for the 3 brands of CIs? Also, have you talked with CI company reps? They SHOULD offer to get you in touch with other CI users (mentors).

Though I don't want to "push a brand", I will share the community forum website for my brand (Advanced Bionics). I suggest you see if there are forums for the other brands so you can "compare".

HearingJourney

hearingjourney.com

I'm a late deafened bilateral CI recipient. I know of deaf/Deaf who have had success with their CIs.

I am waiting on a return phone call from one of the Hospitals that does the surgery's for CIs. There are only 4 within 50 miles of where I live, 5 if you count a childrens hospital. I have logged in to some forums and some of the stories of the struggles to get to being able to understand what they were hearing and the time it took is depressing to me!

 

[LoveBlue]

I am waiting on a return phone call from one of the Hospitals that does the surgery's for CIs. There are only 4 within 50 miles of where I live, 5 if you count a childrens hospital. I have logged in to some forums and some of the stories of the struggles to get to being able to understand what they were hearing and the time it took is depressing to me!

There is a member on the forum I'm on that was deaf in one ear ford 60+ years. After getting a CI in his "good" ear, he decided, against odds, to have the deaf ear implanted. He has surprised everyone with how well he's doing. Though that ear is not good on it's own, yet, it has helped him with hearing bilaterally.

Yes, there are certainly those who do not do well with a CI, but there are people who were born deaf that have done well with them.

It is your choice, of course, but try not to focus on the "bad".

Be sure you're comfortable with the CI audiologist you talk to. It's important to have a good audiologist and unfortunately there are some not so good ones out there. Also, be wary if they "push" a certain brand. They should leave the brand selection to you. They should give you literature for all brands and those should include contact info.

 

[Christine925]

I am waiting on a return phone call from one of the Hospitals that does the surgery's for CIs. There are only 4 within 50 miles of where I live, 5 if you count a childrens hospital. I have logged in to some forums and some of the stories of the struggles to get to being able to understand what they were hearing and the time it took is depressing to me!

It is a lifeline for me, and I was implanted at 72, about a year and a half ago. I chose AB. Wishing you well.