My first diary on DK was about my experience with hearing loss and how it caused me to end up on disability and Medicare. That in turn led to me getting a cochlear implant which restored my hearing so well that it allowed me to return to work.
The job actually turned into everything I hoped it would be. It's by far the coolest job I've ever had. I hope to do it a long time. It has led me to the conclusion that working to help improve the lives of people with hearing loss is my true calling, my life work. I was planning on giving up my lead of the ALDA group I run in San Jose, but after my realization, I have subsequently decided to stay on. I also now volunteer with a group called the BEA (disclaimer that is a site/group organized and funded by my CI manufacturer) to help educate people about cochlear implants and my job is installing captioned telephones for people with hearing loss - something that is funded by the FCC.
To get back to the point of this diary, my first cochlear implant was a raging success. All of my wildest dreams came true. I actually maxed the no-noise comprehension test the first time I took it, about three months after activation. Since then I've played around with music and enjoyed it thoroughly for the first time in fifteen years. This was all with just one implant...
(drum roll)
In August I got my second ear implanted. Though there had been some residual hearing in it, the level was so negligible and comprehension was so horrible it was all but worthless. When they gave me the comprehension test before the surgery I actually had to ask if the test was running. I could barely hear the voice at all and that was with my hearing aid cranked up much louder than I ever used it. It was always a dream to get both ears done, but Medicare won't approve two surgeries so I didn't know if or when I'd be able to do it.
Then in February the job I mentioned above went full time (guess they like me too). That led to new insurance and I immediately started to plan the second surgery. I confirmed my surgeon and hospital were covered as "in plan" (I wasn't going anywhere else, so this was great news) and all I had to do was wait six months so I would have a week of vacation to use for recovery.
My surgery was August 8th and the surgeon called it "textbook" when I woke up in the recovery room. Eleven days later I went back for a followup and I was healing so well my audiologist surprised me and went ahead and activated the second ear. I was using a backup processor from my first surgery as we were waiting for the FDA to approve a new external processor with extra bells and whistles (Bluetooth communication between the two ears, "zoom feature" to help hear in crowded environments, five program slots instead of the old 3, etc.). I got those a month later at what was originally supposed to be my activation appointment, but it was so new I had to wait a week for the audiologist to install and get to know the software so she could program the processors.
The next week I went back and had the new processors programmed and I've been wearing them ever since while spending extra time just working on the new ear. I can already understand human speech in the new ear with visual cues and it's improving steadily. I can understand some speech without any visual cues if I know the subject matter oh and...
STEREO MUSIC ROCKS!
I'm sitting here listening to the Stones bang out "Brown Sugar" and will be listening to the entire "Sticky Fingers" album. It's not perfect and I don't think anyone with normal hearing would be pleased with what I hear, but for me it's pure joy and again, I'm only 8 weeks into the new ear. Once my brain adapts and I get the sound map locked in it's going to get even better.
Beyond the music there is one experience that stands out and it just happened yesterday. I have to go to a bar to watch football as my Chicago Bears are rarely available on free TV here in San Jose. Even with all my features and noise reduction programs it's never been easy to communicate in such a noisy environment. The programs tend to focus on human speech while reducing other forms of noise. With the sound on whatever the main game of the week is and the other patrons, most of the "noise" is speech related so the programs only help so much. It's okay I'm there mostly for the football and there aren't many if any Bears fans there normally. I chat a bit but mostly keep to myself.
Yesterday was no different, but late in the third quarter of the game a guy sits down next to me and starts talking about the Bears. He's a 49ers fan, but told a story about a game he remembers between the two teams from years before. He's on my new "bad" ear side so I have to turn a bit to hear him but I'm picking him up okay. He's trying to watch a game on a TV he can't see well due to a pole that is obstructing his view. I notice this and offer to switch seats because it won't affect my view at all and I can see his game fine. So we switch and all of a sudden, BAM! I can hear him perfectly. I'm making out everything he's saying. I'm even doing better with the guys who I was chatting a bit with earlier, because now I'm closer to them too. It didn't really hit me until I was on the way home that I had been sitting in a bar talking football with other guys and not thinking anything of it.
Now if you've never had a hearing loss especially a big one, it's hard to imagine what it's like to have such a small, common thing feel so wonderful. For the first time in a LONG time life felt completely normal and that's more precious than any amount of gold.
I don't really have a reason for this diary other than to pass along my good news. I am willing to answer any questions people have about cochlear implants or other hearing related issues. I will offer this piece of advice as what I consider to be the most important: If you are going to have CI surgery, start by picking your surgeon. Get the best guy you can given your insurance and financial means even if you have to travel.
It's been an amazing two years and it's brought me to a place I thought I'd get back to. In fact, the whole hearing loss experience has changed me in so many ways, and oddly I have to say it's been for the better in the long run, but it took a LONG time to get there, so I don't recommend it as the first choice for enacting personal growth. Still, if you lost your hearing don't lose hope. The hearing can be restored. The sense of isolation and fear don't have to be your new normal. There are options out there for you. I'm living proof that you can get your hearing fixed. You can return or continue to work. You can listen to music and even talk football in noisy bars with complete strangers and feel normal.
By the way the Stones ended and I've moved on to Santana and am now listening to the full Electric Ladyland album. Deaf people listening to music, we truly live in amazing times...