My intentions of this blog is that I will have an impact on someone that is considering getting a cochlear implant. I want as much information as I can possibly have available to them. I plan to expand my blog to be bigger with more information as time goes on.
One thing any potential cochlear implant candidate needs to keep in mind is that everyones experience with cochlear implants are different even though they are aiming for the same thing, a chance for better hearing.
Now a little bit of information about me. I was not born deaf. Around age 4, I was defined as 'hard of hearing'. There is no known cause for my hearing loss, other than a small hint at blaming the pertussis part of the DPT childhood immunization shot, there is no family history of hearing loss (other than old age).
My parents decided that they wanted me to have as much of a 'normal' life as they possibly could. I went through public school and succeeded rather well. I had a pretty normal school life, I was not 'traumatized' or 'bullied' by school mates because of my hearing aids. I mean there were times that they were just plain out mean, but all kids are when they are young and don't know anything. They teased the kids with glasses more than they teased me about my hearing aids. Possibly because my hair typically covered my ears? Either way, school life was decent. I graduated with honors and went onto college where I graduated with honors there as well and obtained my Associates of Applied Science with my major as Medical Insurnace Specialist.
I benefited from hearing aids from age 4 and had stable hearing until age 20. At that time, my right ear had a slight decrease in hearing. Nothing major that concerned my audiologist. By age 23, I no longer could benefit from a hearing aid in my right ear. Prompted undergoing a bunch of tests to find out 'why' I suddenly lost my hearing. After all the testing, there were no answers for me as to what had caused such a sudden drop. My audiologist then recommended me getting tested to find out if I was a cochlear implant candidate. I shrugged it off as I had always been told I was not a candidate growing up. She had continued to make the suggestion at every hearing test through the years. By December 2011, I was constantly taking my hearing aid into my audiologist telling her it didn't sound right and that everything sounded very cloudy. After repeated attempts of sending my hearing aid for my left ear in to be repaired, my audiologist told me she wanted to do another hearing test on me. I just had one in April 2011, with no change. After the hearing test, I received news that the hearing in my left ear is starting to decrease. This time with my audiologists suggestion to find out if I am a cochlear implant candidate, I finally agreed to let her refer me.
So here I am, begininng my journey to becoming bionic...
***To be continued, under construction***