To Cochlear Implant or to re-Hearing Aid; know thyself what you want, my Deaf ears?

[OldeWolf]

It was only after the death of my analog hearing aid this year as well as the sudden loss of certain sound waves in my left ear that had prompted me to seriously ask myself such a question as this: will I be ok with a cochlear implant?

A little background:
I was born hearing but at 18 months old, scarlet fever came into my life (or rather my parent's life as I recall none of it) and turned me into the color of a tomato. It was only by the attention of nurses around me that saved my life by throwing me into an ice bath full of ice, literally, after the doctor said I was only having a typical fever. And so starts my lifelong deafness.

On my left ear, I have 99% severe profound hearing loss and on the right ear is 97% severe profound hearing loss. But here is where the story gets a little wee strange (and the reason for this thread). During all my audiology testing, my left ear can only hear all the deep tones while my right ear can hear a more higher tone while missing the deeper tones. But when I put on my hearing aid I was able to hear almost all of the sounds except the very high tones.

And so for the next 30+ years I've been wearing analog hearing aid in my left ear exclusively (wearing in both ears makes my head spin due to the differences in hearing losses). Until one day, in 2012, my memories suddenly told me that I was supposed to be hearing certain sounds that I no longer can hear anymore. That was when I realized that my hearing, whatever I had left, was much less than any time in the last 30 years. Not even my right ear can hear or process as much as my left ear did. And then my analog hearing aid broke...Great.

So for the last one year, I've been without sound. At first I thought my skill in lip reading and my near-photographic memories for things can hold me up indefinitely, I found that I was wrong. It's been in a steady decline as I got more used to being fully Deaf (I have full use of ASL as well as full ability to speak).

So here I am, seriously thinking about Cochlear implant(s) or even digital hearing aid(s).

I'm not sure if having digital hearing aid will do me any good with my recent new hearing loss (presumably from wearing hearing aid for 30 years constantly). So that leaves Cochlear implants as an option. But my doubt is this: Due to the nature of my hearing loss, I already had one doctor shake his head in a resounding "no" without even taking a test. He said that due to the death of my cochlear hair nerves, that the implants will not work.

So here I am, asking to see if such avenue is possible, realistic, do-able, and worth the effort...or not. I will be first to admit that I don't have a single clue on what I should do or what to research on based on my type of hearing loss. Any direction or kick in the pants or advices, etc would be appreciated.

I just miss listening to music...

"Sorry
Is all that you can't say
Years gone by and still
Words don't come easily
Like sorry like sorry..."
~Tracy Chapman
​

 

[Bottesini]

Same thing happened to my stepmother in early childhood. She apparently is able to make use of a digital aid, but I thought CI was not an option.

Of course your case may be different.

 

[Sarfarigirl2011]

Phonak Nadias will work for that! (Might get the Q next year but will see what happened first thing)

 

[ambrosia]

I don't see why death of hair cells, that's sensorineural loss, nerve damage, would be a reason why a CI wouldn't work. It'd be a reason why it would. It bypasses the cochlea and sound is sent electronically directly to the auditory nerve. It the state of the auditory nerve to the brain that matters for a CI, not the hair cells. That's my understanding anyway.

 

[cdmeggers]

at the least, find a CI clinic and be evaluated. The CI team will have a better idea of whether or not you'd be a candidate after you've been evaluated.

 

[deafdyke]

I totally would look into CI as an option!

 

[Kai Onca]

I would say hearing aids option first. Theyre stronger than in the past. Trail run if not help then ci but ci is not reverse able. Insurance wont pay for removal of the magnet ur stuck with it.

Fyi it wont be same. I still swear analogs were best vs my ci for natural sound my hearing got beyond to the point where they dont bother giving me a hearing test. Im that deaf. I had analogs til I was like 9 then hearing just went bye bye n bottomed... got ci. Not the same. Still dream of finding that analog hearing aid strong enuff for my non ci ear... its only a dream....

 

[hazridi]

Yeah, go to to a CI center and see if you're a candidate. Many ENTs have their own audiology services and would much rather have patients using HAs that generate income for them rather than recommend they get CIs. Same for generic audiology departments. They can provide biased info in the hopes of keeping a source of income, as sad as that is. Another set of professionals are just not familiar with implants and not really clear on how much of a benefit they provide.

I was implanted in an ear that was so dead I stopped wearing a HA in it, since it provided no discernable benefit. It's really improved the quality of my life and lets me communicate orally again. It's not the same, no, but modern implants do a much better job than the controversy would have you believe. I wear an HA in one ear and CI in the other and it's a good combination for music, too. I get kicking bass beats (CIs don't do low frequency sounds) from what's left of my natural hearing and the CI does everything else quite well.

 

[deafdyke]

It's important to be cautious about the decision to implant,especailly nowadays with the loosened restrictions(Implants CAN be AWESOME and there are always right off the bat canidates/canidates who have very poor speech perception or recruitment...however there are cases where it might be worth it to experiment with high power aids...remember everyone is different with how they respond to hearing technology)....and I really love all the posts here.....
It does sound like the OP is on the verge of really maxing out on aids....and that ROCKS!!!

 

[drphil]

I understand the first question would be get a hearing test to determine exactly where one is- now-
It is somewhat meaningless to debate whether one should consider a Hearing aid VS Cochlear Implant-if suitable.
Then go from one's condition--to which is the best instrument to consider.

 

[BleedingPurist]

It's important to be cautious about the decision to implant,especailly nowadays with the loosened restrictions

It does sound like the OP is on the verge of really maxing out on aids....and that ROCKS!!!

Exactly what are these loosened restrictions you keep vaguely referring to? I'm sure the people that are currently sitting in tears because they are struggling yet did not pass the evaluation test for qualifying for a CI would love to hear about these loose restrictions. Where are these centers that are just handing out implants to anyone who wants one? Be specific with details: Center name, location, Physician, Audiologist. Perhaps they are in darkened back alleys? Yes, caution must be used when pursuing such avenues.

Yes, it rocks that she is hanging on the edge of the hearing cliff. Just wonderful, indeed.

 

[BleedingPurist]

I just miss listening to music...

"Sorry
Is all that you can't say
Years gone by and still
Words don't come easily
Like sorry like sorry..."
~Tracy Chapman
​

I think this is your best justification for going ahead with an implant. What do you really have to lose? You can only go up! You have a range of communication methods already at your disposal. You are only going to add a new dimension to your life. Consider it an adventure! I have two friends with implants who have a similar hearing history to yours. Their primary reason was the chance to hear music again and they are very happy with the end result. Neither of them wear their implants all day/everyday (I do, but I lost my hearing later and rely on it.) They continue to use ASL as a primary mode of communication, though they can also understand speech with their implants.

 

[BleedingPurist]

I was implanted in an ear that was so dead I stopped wearing a HA in it, since it provided no discernable benefit. It's really improved the quality of my life and lets me communicate orally again. It's not the same, no, but modern implants do a much better job than the controversy would have you believe. I wear an HA in one ear and CI in the other and it's a good combination for music, too. I get kicking bass beats (CIs don't do low frequency sounds) from what's left of my natural hearing and the CI does everything else quite well.

Great description of your experience!

CI's do deliver low frequency when you implant the better/stronger ear. You rely on your HA ear, so your brain never quite worked that part out since it uses the harmonics of the lower pitches to manifest them as the pitch you are used to hearing. Just something for others to consider who may be facing a different decision and something for you to consider should you ever face giving up your HA ear.

 

[ambrosia]

Yes, it rocks that she is hanging on the edge of the hearing cliff. Just wonderful, indeed.

exactly what I was thinking!!! It's so AWESOME having the most powerful aids on the market and only getting 30-40% speech recognition!! whop hoo it's fabulous, just fabulous!!!

Where is meh sarcasm font?? :/

 

[ohmylight]

I suggest try hearing aids first... Especially if they may have worked for you before. If you can do the non-surgical option you may like it. Only you + your doctor can sense what sort of gain you'll get out of both options. Find a doctor who knows and understands both.

 

[Smithtr]

I would say hearing aids option first. Theyre stronger than in the past. Trail run if not help then ci but ci is not reverse able. Insurance wont pay for removal of the magnet ur stuck with it.

Fyi it wont be same. I still swear analogs were best vs my ci for natural sound my hearing got beyond to the point where they dont bother giving me a hearing test. Im that deaf. I had analogs til I was like 9 then hearing just went bye bye n bottomed... got ci. Not the same. Still dream of finding that analog hearing aid strong enuff for my non ci ear... its only a dream....

can allow on remove implant already

you can do remove implant your do right.

Insurance cover to social worker cover for me pay especially costly for expensiveness.

I am lucky they remove implant for cochlear.


you can do request to Doctor/audiogist.


I really happy now! lucky. social worker is really government is expensive for costly pretty limit strictly.! approximate for between on accuracy younger!

 

[hazridi]

Great description of your experience!

CI's do deliver low frequency when you implant the better/stronger ear. You rely on your HA ear, so your brain never quite worked that part out since it uses the harmonics of the lower pitches to manifest them as the pitch you are used to hearing. Just something for others to consider who may be facing a different decision and something for you to consider should you ever face giving up your HA ear.

I don't want to get in an argument, but your post is rubbing me the wrong way.

I do perceive the effect you are talking about, and have listened and do listen plenty without my HA. But the fact of the matter is that the effect is far weaker than the natural response my natural hearing gives me... even without an HA. I only have 50dB loss at 250 Hz and while it increases pretty fast to no response at higher frequencies, it is only a moderate loss at the lowest tested frequency. The low frequency effect from the CI is terrible in comparison. It's tinny, weak, and tonotopically stimulating the wrong area of the cochlea. You've adjusted to that because you don't have a source of real bass response to compare it to but to try and explain it off as me relying on my HA is simply incorrect.

 

[BleedingPurist]

I don't want to get in an argument, but your post is rubbing me the wrong way.

I do perceive the effect you are talking about, and have listened and do listen plenty without my HA. But the fact of the matter is that the effect is far weaker than the natural response my natural hearing gives me... even without an HA. I only have 50dB loss at 250 Hz and while it increases pretty fast to no response at higher frequencies, it is only a moderate loss at the lowest tested frequency. The low frequency effect from the CI is terrible in comparison. It's tinny, weak, and tonotopically stimulating the wrong area of the cochlea. You've adjusted to that because you don't have a source of real bass response to compare it to but to try and explain it off as me relying on my HA is simply incorrect.

Incorrect, I am not indicating YOU are relying on your HA. Your brain is. There is nothing you are consciously doing or can do. You implanted a dead ear. You are not experiencing what someone who implants an ear that was never without hearing/stronger ear experiences and cannot use your two ears to compare. This is only good news for you should you proceed to implant your HA ear.

 

[HOH-ME]

There is simply no comparison, a CI is so much better then any HA's. If you are really that low on the hearing charts, a HA isn't going to provide much benefit, even the "strong" ones. I would go get evaluated and see what they say. If they say no, you have the HA as a fall back.

 

[hazridi]

Incorrect, I am not indicating YOU are relying on your HA. Your brain is. There is nothing you are consciously doing or can do. You implanted a dead ear. You are not experiencing what someone who implants an ear that was never without hearing/stronger ear experiences and cannot use your two ears to compare. This is only good news for you should you proceed to implant your HA ear.

Dead in that I never fit it with a HA that provided much assistance. Dead in that it was totally useless to me before I was implanted. Technically, it was never without some hearing until I was implanted. It wasn't clinically dead, Jim... heh. I had about 110dB loss when that ear was implanted.