Your second Cochlear Implant

[Guest guest]

Dear Alice,

Thank you very much for your long and detailed replies. I truly

appreciate all of the help you have given me since 1998.

Your second CI sounds magnificent, akin to a miracle. I am so happy for

you! Yes, your example and always cogent advice do give me hope for the

future. The first time I saw Dr. Hirano in '98 at Columbia, he told me

of the possibility of an implant in the future. Of course, I've learned

ALOT more about them from you--more than any info from a doctor or an

audiologist.

At night when I remove my digital aids, I am always shocked at how

silent the world becomes, especially now with the windows open. Voices,

birdsong, various gardening machines, either become faint, or totally

unheard. Even with the aids, I have great trouble on the telephone with

certain voices. It is more than frustrating.

One of my major concerns would be being allowed by insurance to get

only one implant. I cannot tolerate just one hearing aid. It feels

" lopsided " and unnatural. Do you know if double CI's will beome routine?

How bad does one's hearing have to be before a CI becomes a good option?

My right ear has severe loss, but my left ear is moderate loss.

Thanks for reading this, Alice, and I know that we all rejoice with you

over your truly wonderful progress.

Love,

PS: Singing has been very important in my life , too. I can't manage it

well now, not just because of the hearing loss, but because of muscle

weakness in my throat and chest.

Hi ,

I am so very much aware of your hearing loss and how

you have struggled because of it. I also know that

you always keep the idea of a cochlear implant in the

back of your mind as it gives you something to hold on

to if the day comes when you are getting nothing from

your hearing aids. My personal feelings about my

implants are very strong. Without them, I am afraid I

don't know what I would do.

This might be a good time to update everyone a little

as it's been a long time since I reported on how I am

doing with my newest implant. I can't tell you how

much it has done for me. For those of you who have

entered the booth to have your hearing tested, you

know that sometimes it feels like the torture chamber.

Well..I went into the booth 3 weeks ago and was

tested with my implants. I am hearing 94% in quiet

and 91% in noise. This is absolutely a miracle for a

stone deaf woman. I can easily use the phone now and

watch TV and actually enjoy it. Music is difficult

with an electronic device of this nature but I'm

hearing more now and have actually gotten the nerve up

to sing again which is something that I lost when the

hearing went. If you can't hear yourself you really

can't sing. I still have a lot of work to do with

music but I have come a long way in two months since

the surgery and know I will continue to gain ground.

We face so many quality of life issues. With the help

of assistive devices we don't have to feel that

everything is lost. I can't stress enough how

important I feel it is to take advantage of what is

out there to help you.

Alice

--- BDS31@... wrote:

> Dear Alice and Ruth,

> Thanks so much for your comments on the forward I

> sent. The content was

> obviously of interest to me, because of my hearing

> problems. I did not

> know to what degree the medical community has kept

> you informed--glad to

> read that you are being protected.

> Ah, just one more thing to worry about in mitoland,

> I guess.

> Hope you are doing OK.

> Sincerely,

>

>

>

>