Anyone here have a Cochlear Implant ?

[Charley Lillard]

Might be one in my near future as I lost all hearing in left ear. Want to hear from anyone that has one.

[Canuck]

Charlie
I am a member of the Rotary Club of Vancouver, BC. We have been funding a hearing research facility for 40 years and our main effort is a Hearing And Balance Center it St Paul’s Hospital.
I can connect you with the head Autolaringoligist at St. Paul’s for any questions you may have. Dr Brian Westerberg has completed many coequalar implants in his career.
St Paul’s is a Leading facility in North America on hearing loss research.
Paul
604-561-6731

[1967 4K]

Charley, I am hearing impaired in both ears. My occupation caused some of it but mostly 35 radiation ☢️ treatments on the right side of my upper jaw for cancer in 2011.
I truly feel for you because I know firsthand how being hearing impaired affects ones life. I know people who have the implants and they say that is very beneficial to them.
If you’ve completely lost your hearing I’d say go for it!
You’re going on my daily prayer list right now and I hope things work out for you and your family in this situation.
ICL,
Richard

[Jim69Z]

My mother in law had one done last year successfully and was life changing for all of us to communicate and be involved in conversations

[olredalert]

----Local woman animal doc has had a double C implant and can hear as good as new, she says. I would guess the important part is researching for the best specialist you can find.

[Pro Stock John]

You might know Jeff Oppenheim (best reachable on FB), he got it done in 2022.

[Charley Lillard]

Originally Posted by Pro Stock John

You might know Jeff Oppenheim (best reachable on FB), he got it done in 2022.

Been chatting with him. Thanks everyone. After surgery I am deaf in one ear with a really loud ringing that is driving me nuts.

[Too Many Projects]

Originally Posted by Charley Lillard

Been chatting with him. Thanks everyone. After surgery I am deaf in one ear with a really loud ringing that is driving me nuts.

I was wondering if there was enough of your hearing "parts" left after surgery for a cochlear to work, but if your DR thinks it would help, there must be.

I have lived with that ringing my entire life and was classified 4F, medically unfit, to be drafted into the military because of severe high frequency hearing loss at age 19. It has gotten worse over time and is now the predominant sound I "hear". I know the feeling of it driving you nuts...
I'm surprised to read Medicare will cover the implants, as they wouldn't 10-12 years ago, but did cover about 50% of my hearing aids at that time.
I hope you can get help with this and maybe get some/all of your hearing back and a reduction in the ringing. I was told even with the implant, I would still have it at some level because of the damage done during infancy.

[Lynn]

Sorry to hear this Charley. But, as one of my friends says: "I hate being this old, but I am glad it is now and not 50 years ago." Personally, I honestly believe I would have been dead by this age had I experienced my heart issues OR my prostate cancer 50 years ago.

On top of that, I would not be able to participate in this hobby, even at the lame level where I am, if I had not had both shoulder joints replaced in 2020.

I have a brother with zero hearing in one ear and less than 20% in the GOOD ear. Not sure why he hasn't looked into the implant. What I find amazing is that Medicare will not pay for a hearing aid, but they WILL pay for this implant, assuming you qualify; which isn't hard to do.

Best of luck whatever you decide.

[markinnaples]

I know that the late Rush Limbaugh has those cochlear implants and they seemed to work well for him. Best of luck.
And Lynn, I agree, it's crazy that many health insurance plans don't cover hearing aids. I could use them as I have less than great hearing and they would probably help me a great deal.