Need Research Help

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Mack.Camp

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Hello all,

I am a student at Adams State University in Colorado (Social Welfare major with a minor in Deaf Studies) and I am currently doing some research on Cochlear Implants. I would love to hear about your experiences (good and bad) with cochlear implants. If you could answer some of the following questions and maybe add some more insight would be wonderful and much appreciated:

What's your story? How did you become deaf or when was it discovered?

What was your family's reaction?

Do you have a cochlear implant? When did you get it?

What drawbacks have you had because of it?

What are some of the benefits that you see in everyday life because of your CI?

Thank you all very much in advance :ty:
Mackenzie
 
Mack.Camp said:
Hello all,

What's your story? How did you become deaf or when was it discovered?

What was your family's reaction?

Do you have a cochlear implant? When did you get it?

What drawbacks have you had because of it?

What are some of the benefits that you see in everyday life because of your CI?

Thank you all very much in advance :ty:
Mackenzie
Click to expand...

I was born profoundly deaf, dx at 2, I guess i was lucky one as i was the only one in the whole family (13 cousins, 14 aunts/uncles, 2 set of grandparents who are in their 80's/90's and still hears pin drop) and their relatives) who is deaf....

Mum took it like duck in water, she KNEW i was deaf from the day I was born, the doctors labelled her as over anxious 1st time mother, we had 3 big dogs who would bark the house down and i never reacted to the barks. She started going to signing classes against doctors orders when i was 9 months old. Finally DX as deaf at 2 and given hearing device. She didn't grieve, she just got on with it. I think my father took it badly as he thought it was his fault but as a real daddy's girl, I gave him unconditional love and he had accepted who I am!

I got my cochlear implant at nearly 31 and had it for nearly 2 years. It was my decision and my family/friends supported me.

I don't doubt having it done even i had good and bad days, the good days out weigh the bad days. The drawback is the weight of the processor. It's quite heavy and my ear get quite sore at the end of the day.
I still can't communicate in group suitations, this is something I have already accepted pre CI and knew it would be difficult post CI. I can't confidently pick up phone and call ransom person. Having CI isn't cure, I see it as extra powerful HA and any new sound to me is a miracle since I never heard it before and weren't expected to do so.

As it's spring now.... i can hear the birds on daily bais, hear my dog's tags as he plays or runs in the distance, these are the sounds i couldn't hear with hearing aids pre CI. Lipreading is easier, still is improving every day and I am less tired every evening.
 
My hearing loss was probably most likely caused by medication that I received after my birth(12 weeks premature) My mum suspected from 8 months that I had a hearing loss, diagnosed at 9 months as severely deaf.

My family was shocked since they was convinced I could hear, but my mum was still shocked of course but knew I was feeling vibrations. I got my first pair of hearing aids(bodyworn) at 12 months old.

I got my cochlear implant at ten years old(nine and a half years ago) when hearing aids were not working as well for me anymore, although I do still wear a hearing aid in my right ear.

I also have found that it is too heavy for my ear, weighs it down, so sometimes I have to remove it until it's comfty to wear again.

The benefits in my everyday life is being able to hear most things!! I still rely on lipreading but I can understand some words without lipreading.
 
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