One Year Anniverisity with Cochlear Implant

Let me start off by saying it's been a year! Already!  However, due to being ill for the last few months, it has interfered with my ability to process sounds well with my CI ear.

Prior to getting sick, I was JUST starting to normalize out with all the sounds around me and I was doing just fine in getting to listening better in noise.   Now, I kind of have to go through a detox from all my medicines which I must stop completely and for good as my doctor thinks it's causing my stomach issues.

So if you ask me do I regret it?  No, I don't.  I will say I still got a way to go on my part.  I'm not 100% YET or close to it.  But I am slowly building my way up.  I do listen to audio, but I get tired out fast.  My situation of being a single mom of an active Kindergartener and other things I'm swamped by.  But I do go out and chat with my friends and meet with those in the cochlear implant group(s), when I can.  Sometimes, finding time for me is just enough to catch a shower and a few of my TV shows. 

I am bimodal. I will say I have gone a whole day wearing just my processor.  It helps to not wear the hearing aid so much.  I will wear my hearing aid but it would be off until I decide I need “extra" backup to help in some situations.  I will also say I surely do hear more with my CI ear than my hearing aid ear, so clearly I can tell just how much I am not hearing.  Before I got sick, I was so close to almost hearing speech in whispering, it's amazing to be honest.

As I "detox" my system of all the meds I had to be put on to fight one infection after another, I am hoping to regain a sense of normalcy with my hearing journey once again.  If I need another map as a result of me being sick for so long, then so be it.  Right now everything sounds like it’s the radio with static in the background when speech is being heard. So, while I know everyone is different, just keep in mind that if you ever fall under the weather and notice your CI ear isn't hearing well, let your audiologists, ENT specialist and your primary doctor be aware of this.  This way they can make note of this and would probably want to see you based upon how they practice or give you advice before coming in.

So I was advised by my primary to give my body a few weeks to "detox" on its own and to see if my overall immune system as well stomach improves.  During this time I will be in contact with my audi and ENT to see if and when they would think a good time would be to see me. 

I will admit I have been sore around my magnet site.  I have a #3 magnet and because my hair is thick and curly, sometimes it's hard to get it to stay with the thick hair.  But I will mention it to both Audi and ENT, just to be on the safe side.

While I may have been set back a bit in my hearing journey, it's okay.  In life there will be set-backs and sometimes it's a time to reflect on how far you have come vs. complaining about how everything is going wrong or downhill.  Patience is a must in life, a must in EVERY aspect of life.  Some people have told me I should be hearing at 75% by now and others say everyone is different.  The truth is, as long as I am hearing something and I am able to make it out, that is good enough for me.  Even if its something small.  I don't compare myself to anyone or anyone to someone else.  I truly believe we are all uniquely different in our own ways and there is only one of us.  As a community, we come together to support each other because we "get it" and I love that.

If I was faced with a second surgery, I would still go with Cochlear.  My speech has improved greatly and people have noticed this 'huge' change.  Of course, I'm still getting used to hearing myself to be honest, still weird to me. But I'm gaining and benefiting from getting the CI.  If you feel like you ain't getting a lot out of it, but someone notices how you have improved in SOMETHING, take it as a sign that something is working for you.  Continue to work with your audiologists and make note of what is comfortable and what isn't.  With the new N6 technology, your audiologist would be able to see what works and what doesn't which is great. But because I am old-fashioned, I would still keep a checklist of how I am hearing. 

I am not due for an upgrade for another 4 years. So if I was chosen to have an upgrade would I take it?  Not too quickly.  I know the FDA is still in the process of approving some additional aspects of the N6 at the moment and I would prefer to wait until everything is approved rather than jump on it.  This way, because I don't drive or own a car, I can keep my visits to my audiologist to a minimum.  Plus, I'm not one who "Jumps" at the newest technology out there. I like waiting it out and getting use to the technology I have and when I feel ready to take on the new technology, I'll go for it.

So, I will end this with, if you are new to this, don't be afraid.  Just make sure you do the research entirely on your own FIRST and ask questions about things you need clarification in.  Most people who have been going online have been relying on others to tell them all the information, rather than learning about the technologies and programs themselves.  I get it is a time-consuming deal.  It took me six years to finally go ahead with my decision.  The reason for such a long wait?  I wanted medical science and technology to be a bit more "advanced" with skilled doctors and audiologists in the field who knew what they were doing.  Plus, I was tired of a bulky analogs hearing aid and upgraded to digital hearing aids which are lighter five years ago. Now with technology getting smaller and sleek, I'll take that over something bulky.  If you are struggling, don't give up, let the sounds come to you.  Keep working at it and make note of what you are struggling with and communicate with your Audi.  If you feel just fine and doing good, keep moving forward in all that you do!