Cochlear implants seems to be in my future, anyone have experience with them? Words of wisdom or advice?
Cochlear implants
- Thread starter lkabug
- Start date
Wrangler Rich
US Veteran
They are one of God's Greatest Miracles. My wife hadn't had hearing in her right ear for 40 years and her left was on the latest and greatest over the ear aid. And, it wasn't doing much good.
The Doctor was worried that it being such a long time, she may never get anything back. After the surgery, she bought books every week, took her aid out and practiced diligently throughout the day reading to herself. She had surgery at Loyola in Chicago subberb in July.
It came to be harvest season, an still nothing. I kept encouraging her to keep practicing. In September, I came home from stirring dirt to a happy wife. Her words to me were: "You'll never guess what I did today... I heard myself talk!"
As I write this the same emotions that I felt that day came back. Here I sit with
tears streaming down my face.
Gitter Done!
WR
The Doctor was worried that it being such a long time, she may never get anything back. After the surgery, she bought books every week, took her aid out and practiced diligently throughout the day reading to herself. She had surgery at Loyola in Chicago subberb in July.
It came to be harvest season, an still nothing. I kept encouraging her to keep practicing. In September, I came home from stirring dirt to a happy wife. Her words to me were: "You'll never guess what I did today... I heard myself talk!"
As I write this the same emotions that I felt that day came back. Here I sit with
tears streaming down my face.
Gitter Done!
WR
Probably the best way to assess the effectiveness of cochlear implants is to look at the experience of Rush Limbaugh. They basically saved his career as a talk show host.
The only person I ever met that had one was an 8 year old boy. His parents told me it changed him completely. Went from a withdrawn introvert to a happy youngster, running around and playing with his friends. Sensory deficiencies limit what you can or will do. They make your world smaller. Don't settle for a smaller world. My father's hearing got bad enough that he hasn't seen a movie in a theater in 35 years. I say go for it.
My wife had no hearing in one ear since before she could remember. The other had a hearing aid since she was about 4 years of age. She was losing that hearing at age 50. The specialist in Omaha thought he could help her with a cochlear implant. She was afraid she could lose all hearing and was terrified of a failure with the surgery. The doctor tried to assure her that she would be happy with the results. It ended up being a success. It takes some time learning to hear with the cochlear implant but it enabled her hear things she had no memory of hearing, like birds singing, and me grumbling in the restroom with the door shut! I remember her saying “I can hear YOU!” It was a real life changer.
Obviously, who works with you after the surgery can make a difference. And I believe you have to want to work at it. You can’t give up if you get disappointed after the surgery. You have to go back and let them see how you are doing and they can make adjustments to “fine tune” your implant. It may take a few times initially but they can help you and guide you.
Our insurance covered most of the cost but there was some out of pocket for us around $2000 initially and around $1600 8 years later when her processor wore out.
Everyone who gets this done has their own story. We listened to the professionals in Omaha and trusted them. Our story has been a successful one.
I wish you all the best.
Obviously, who works with you after the surgery can make a difference. And I believe you have to want to work at it. You can’t give up if you get disappointed after the surgery. You have to go back and let them see how you are doing and they can make adjustments to “fine tune” your implant. It may take a few times initially but they can help you and guide you.
Our insurance covered most of the cost but there was some out of pocket for us around $2000 initially and around $1600 8 years later when her processor wore out.
Everyone who gets this done has their own story. We listened to the professionals in Omaha and trusted them. Our story has been a successful one.
I wish you all the best.
delcrossv
Member
There are two kids (brothers) at our parish with them. Real lifesavers according to their parents.
