Hi, serendipity,
I have recently been implanted with Nucleus freedom, I cannot tell you the difference at the moment as i am not switched on yet. Ok But can tell you what i went through, Bearing in mind this was in UK.
I have similar deafness as you but on the other way round! My left is 120 db no high frequency and right is 95 again no high frequency.
I was transfered to new area, new doctor, new audiologist (previous audiology refused point blank to provide new HA hence change of address and area) When i had my hearing test at the new hospital, i was surprised that my Left had lost more hearing (was 80 -85 db) the new audiologist gave me new aids Sienmens, I went away and tried them... they were no good and at the same time i went to see my new ENT... he said to me have you thought about CI. So i agreed to go for it.
In Jan I was refered to CI centre, they gave me hearing aids trials (i tried Oction, Uniton, Phonak) all no good.
During assessments, you would need to do lipreading/voice test, lipreading only and voice only so they can see how you cope with hearing aids and see how much can you benifit from getting the CI. We had to meet the CI critera.
They will also do MRI/CT scan to see what's your Cochlear looks like, If it's occisfied the lesser chance of you getting them as the surgery would be difficult but Surgeons always will try and get some of the coil in. It's common in menigitis people, or people with deformed ear. Mine was clear and i have all of the electrodes in.
I had ABR (auditory Brain response) its painless and you'll need to be very still/quiet during those time they insert very fine tube into your ear canal and stick 3 electrodes on your hairline. It to tell how much your auditory Nerve/brain responses to the sounds... to be honest it was so weird (soft buzzing sounds) as i "heard" for the first time in my head not at the ear drums!
They may do Balance test as well, I didn't go through this as i don't have problem with my balance.
We would have meeting with other CI users and learn from their experince. I didn't find those helpful because they were late deafen people who already know what sounds are like where as i was born deaf and never heard bird singing... there is huge difference. When i am switched on and is settled in my new life as bionic woman i will make this difference as i would do the talks to help BORN deaf people to learn about my experinces.
During the meeting we also had look and try the processor and look at different implants, We had to choose from Advanced bionics, Cochlear, Med-El. I knew i wouldn't choose Med-El as they weren't around long as the other two and not sure of their reliablity also the processor looked unattractive and straight, and i would loose that remote in a flash or my dog would eat it before i could find it!!. I tried both AB and cochlear.. boy that was hard... did some research.. I chose Cochlear because of it's reliablity, comfort, an extra program and they are easily upgraded even you still have same implant. My Friend had her implant for 11 years and had upgraded processor twice.
I also had the menigitis jab.
As I was under NHS, the surgeon and the Primary care trust had to decide if the CI would be good for me and pay for it. it took about 2 months for them to decide!
The surgery itself, I was under GA for 4 hours and were completely painless, I didn't have any problems with balance, sickness, dizziness, nothing at all i was sitting on my bed straight after being brought back to my room. I was in hosp over night (standard in UK) and went home next morning after xray and with a bag of pills (anti bios, anti inflam, and pain killers)
Yesterday i had my wound checked and xrays checked, the surgeon is very pleased and my scar is barely noticeable! I had it done 2 weeks ago.
My advice to you, Talk to CI users and learn from them, research research research..... ALL the Best of luck.
