Diane Spivak

[Guest guest]

Hi Diane,

Is the same surgeon who did the acoustic neuroma surgery going to

evaluate for the cochlear implant? Because she or he would be the one to

ask. Generally having one acoustic neuroma is a reason to implant the

other ear - and perhaps implant without a magnet since your mother may

need frequent MRIs. There are other ways to hold the Nucleus device in

place, for folks who have a need for a lot of MRIs.

Depending on how much of the auditory nerve was affected, the CI might

be possible, but for the most part, a surgeon will generally do the other

ear. But ask.

Good luck,

The Original

From: <dspivak@...>

Subject: CAT Scans for Ear Testing

Hello,

I have been lurking on this listserv for some time and have a question to

ask of the group. Does anyone have any information about the use of CAT

scans to determine the viability of an ear for implanting?

My mother's right ear that is deaf from surgery to remove an acoustic

neuroma six years ago. Last year she had sudden sensorineural hearing

loss

in her left ear which left her with lots of sound detection but poor

speech

recognition. She is a candidate for a C.I. but would prefer to implant

the

right ear and keep the hearing she has in her left ear. The promontory

test

revealed little nerve conduction but actual hearing tests show some

primitive hearing at very high decibels.

I just wondered if anyone knows if the CAT scan will help give us the

information we need to make a decision.

Diane Spivak

Diane Spivak