and sequential vs. simutaneous bilaterals

[Guest guest]

Dear :

You wrote: One could argue that the CI ear could rehab with the assistance

of the HA ear providing some guidance. Then, the other ear could get the

CI. Perhaps smoothing out the rehab process. Or go ahead and do both and

get it over with! (which is I what I tend to think with no logical

support).

I am someone who was sequentially implanted 7 years apart. wrote

that she " would factor in how much and the type of residual hearing I had

left in one of my ears " . I think that is the best advice to take into

consideration. I am someone who had 15% discrimination in the ear that

received the second CI (vs. 17% in the original ear). I had very little

benefit from the HA I continued to wear in the non-implanted ear, but it DID

give be bass tones which I thought helped me with music and some speech

sounds. Knowing what I know now, I am getting so MUCH more than that

hearing aid ever gave me and I find that I do NOT miss any bass tones at all

in music or speech. What is important to note here is that DID hear

those tones and it was her determination that she benefited from them. So,

it seems an individual decision based on your situation.

I do know of at least one person who was simultaneously implanted and that

person feels it was the best decision she made. I suggest you get input

from someone who was simultaneously implanted to compare notes. Hopefully

we have someone on this list who will respond!

Warmly,

Carol in WI