One Person's Experience with Implants

[prodigyplace]

This is not exactly a published article, but it is one person's explanation of how cochlear implants work for them.

http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/home/daily/site_031811/content/01125112.guest.html

How does this relate to your experiences?

It makes me grateful that my hearing loss is not that severe.

[kretsh]

Very interesting statement from a very articulate person, especially to a person (me) who is considering getting a CI. Makes me wonder....

[ESO - Omaha]

Interesting read.

[kevels55]

Twas a very interesting article prodigyplace, thank you for sharing it:D

I am acutely aware that I may at some point be profoundly deaf in both ears as opposed to one ear at present, tis just a matter of time! I had thought that a future implant might be my only option, but after reading this article I don't think I will bother, unless the technology vastly improves? I can sign so at least I'm fortunate in that respect:D

Cheers Kev.

[Deaf123]

I am getting stem cells in a few years and they are way better than CI. I only need to improve to 80db then i'd hear at 20db or better with HAs.

[gturner]

I have had a CI for 11 years and doing so much better on it than a HA ever could. I was born with severe to profound loss on both ears. I had 90db loss on my right ear and 105 db loss on my left. Even the most powerful HAs couldn't do the job as well as my CI. I can now hear as low as 20db with the CI whereas I could only go as low as 45db with the most powerful HA. I can hear sounds I could never hear before and music sounds so much better with a CI. After the first year, the robotic quality faded away until everything sounds natural now.

No regrets whatsoever. Never an issue with the CI. Each year my hearing has improved with the improved mappings, far beyond the capability of even the most advanced HA in the market today. I can actually watch a movie and follow the dialogue without captions. It's amazing!

I'm having my other (and worst) ear implanted next month. I'm looking forward to having bilateral hearing for the first time in my life.

[Deaf123]

I have had a CI for 11 years and doing so much better on it than a HA ever could. I was born with severe to profound loss on both ears. I had 90db loss on my right ear and 105 db loss on my left. Even the most powerful HAs couldn't do the job as well as my CI. I can now hear as low as 20db with the CI whereas I could only go as low as 45db with the most powerful HA. I can hear sounds I could never hear before and music sounds so much better with a CI. After the first year, the robotic quality faded away until everything sounds natural now.

No regrets whatsoever. Never an issue with the CI. Each year my hearing has improved with the improved mappings, far beyond the capability of even the most advanced HA in the market today. I can actually watch a movie and follow the dialogue without captions. It's amazing!

I'm having my other (and worst) ear implanted next month. I'm looking forward to having bilateral hearing for the first time in my life.

I am surprised you qualified for a CI back in 2000 when your "good" ear was only 90db loss. I remember back in 1998, I had 100db loss in both ears and could be aided to 35db with HAs. A CI was mentioned if I were to lose *all* my residual hearing. I see you made your mind to get another CI, good luck with that. I wish I had only a 90db loss because I could then be aided to 20db or better with my Phonak Naida V UP HAs programmed for maximum amplification.

[Soonerman42]

This stem cell discussion is exciting to me. I'm having trouble being able to hear clearing with Oticon Epoqs and have had a discussion with 2 docs re: CI. I have just within the last week heard about stem cells. From viewing my hearing loss, would stem cells benefit my situation?

[kevels55]

This stem cell discussion is exciting to me. I'm having trouble being able to hear clearing with Oticon Epoqs and have had a discussion with 2 docs re: CI. I have just within the last week heard about stem cells. From viewing my hearing loss, would stem cells benefit my situation?

Hi Soonerman

I would not pin my hopes on Stem Cells at the moment, the research is very much in its infancy and it is likely many years away? Some on this forum would have you believe its imminent, but its far from that stage yet.......... But, there is hope! Although, therein lies a dilemma for those of us with a severe/profound loss whom might consider CI? Personally, if I had a spare £50K then I would most likely go down the CI route if my hearing deteriorates much more, but knowing my luck if I went ahead with CI's, then it would probably be announced shortly after that Stem Cells were a complete success and a full blown cure for SNHL!

Cheers Kev.

[Deaf123]

This stem cell discussion is exciting to me. I'm having trouble being able to hear clearing with Oticon Epoqs and have had a discussion with 2 docs re: CI. I have just within the last week heard about stem cells. From viewing my hearing loss, would stem cells benefit my situation?

Stem cells will benefit anyone with a significant hearing loss. Keep in mind that the average improvement is 20db and not everyone improves. I am waiting for stem cell technology to mature more, see my blog for more facts. What did the docs say about CI? I highly doubt you would be a candidate with such "good" hearing, especially in the lower frequencies. You very well may hear worse than what the best HAs programmed correctly could offer you. Your loss is less than 80db(and is in fact normal below 250Hz) in many frequencies which a properly programmed HA could get you well above the speech banana. Transpositional HAs could shift the higher frequencies downwards, further improving your speech and letting you "hear" high frequencies as lower frequency sounds.

Hi Soonerman

I would not pin my hopes on Stem Cells at the moment, the research is very much in its infancy and it is likely many years away? Some on this forum would have you believe its imminent, but its far from that stage yet.......... But, there is hope! Although, therein lies a dilemma for those of us with a severe/profound loss whom might consider CI? Personally, if I had a spare £50K then I would most likely go down the CI route if my hearing deteriorates much more, but knowing my luck if I went ahead with CI's, then it would probably be announced shortly after that Stem Cells were a complete success and a full blown cure for SNHL!

Cheers Kev.

I suggest you click the link in my sig and read about Francis getting 20db improvement. Stem cells is here and will only get better, CI is a dead end and I am saving both of my ears even though my hearing is way, way, way worse than both of you. I would be very happy if stem cells could give me hearing as good as you guys have! Why spend 50,000 on CI for one ear(and destroy your natural residual hearing) when stem cells is half the cost for both ears, improves your natural hearing and requires no risky surgery? You could probably hear better right now by spending $5000 for new HAs and have them programmed correctly.

edit: "70 average db loss" well, a CI would be comparable to what a HA can deliver to someone with 80db loss (http://deafdude1.blogspot.com/2009/10/cochlear-implants-give-performance.html), thus you would hear better with new HAs that are correctly programmed to put you well above the speech banana. It makes zero sense to spend 50,000 on a CI when a HA costs less than 5000 and can give you better hearing without risky surgery. CI was meant for those who were profoundly deaf(like me) who could not get enough benefit from HAs. But I am saving both of my ears for stem cells as I know this will give me far better hearing with HAs than a CI ever could.

[kevels55]

I suggest you click the link in my sig and read about Francis getting 20db improvement. Stem cells is here and will only get better, CI is a dead end and I am saving both of my ears even though my hearing is way, way, way worse than both of you. I would be very happy if stem cells could give me hearing as good as you guys have! Why spend 50,000 on CI for one ear(and destroy your natural residual hearing) when stem cells is half the cost for both ears, improves your natural hearing and requires no risky surgery? You could probably hear better right now by spending $5000 for new HAs and have them programmed correctly.

edit: "70 average db loss" well, a CI would be comparable to what a HA can deliver to someone with 80db loss (http://deafdude1.blogspot.com/2009/10/cochlear-implants-give-performance.html), thus you would hear better with new HAs that are correctly programmed to put you well above the speech banana. It makes zero sense to spend 50,000 on a CI when a HA costs less than 5000 and can give you better hearing without risky surgery. CI was meant for those who were profoundly deaf(like me) who could not get enough benefit from HAs. But I am saving both of my ears for stem cells as I know this will give me far better hearing with HAs than a CI ever could.

Hi Deaf123

I have to say without fear or favor; You are like a broken down gramophone record! I have read your blog a long time back, same old story and one swallow don't make a summer! Why don't you give us all peace, you seem to be trying to convince yourself along with everyone else on this forum, you are becoming very tedious......................... if you are so much belief that Stem Cells are the way forward, then go get the 6 million and see how it pans out, nothing ventured, nothing gained? I'm sure some Doctor in Korea or where ever, will be more than willing to pump you full of them and let you part with your hard earned cash!

Somehow, I don't see you rushing off and getting your quota of Stem Cells, you'll most likely still be harping on about them in 10 years time, blinding yourself to reality, this is many years away and here is the rub; it may or may not work for everyone and there is a very good chance it will not be in our lifetime!!!

In the meantime and I'm sorry to be so blunt.................... If you have anything new to report, then I'm sure we are all ears, pun intended:D But, please stop boring the sh1t out of us all......................

Cheers Kev:D