If I get a cochlear implant and after all my efforts it just doesn’t work, what are the possible effects from that?
Will my hearing be unreversably changed? Could I go back to hearing aids with the same level of hearing loss?
There’s an awful lot to consider.
Thank you for any advice.
If you had a worst case scenario you would not be able to count on any residual hearing, so no you couldn’t just go back to hearing aids in the affected ear. Have you had an evaluation yet? I would think they should be able to answer questions like this (and there’s no obligation to getting an evaluation)
Although the worst case scenario is pretty awful, we face them everyday. Worst case scenario of crossing the street is either death or permanent disability, yet we still choose to cross the street.
As mentioned, the cochlear evaluation will answer these questions and much more.
If you are a candidate odds are you will do well with CI.
There are a number of CI members here on the forum as well as others who are knowledgeable and helpful about CI.
Typically CI will take about 30% of your residual hearing when implanted. Many of us didn’t have much to start with when implanted so not much to lose and so much to gain.
Have you had a CI evaluation?
I put off getting my CI until I really had nothing to lose.
The hearing in my implanted ear was so bad, I had a CROS on that ear, not a hearing aid. (A CROS sends the sound from the bad ear to the good so you are not one sided.) Then the “good”, or should I say “better”, ear with the hearing aid started to go downhill. So putting the CI in the really bad ear, almost non-hearing, wasn’t a hard decision. And I’m so happy I had the surgery!
Once you have an evaluation you will be able to ask the Audi questions, do some research and make an informed decision.
Thank you for your reply. I have an appointment in two weeks with the cochlear doctor with my Audiology office, but I guess I’m just anxious for answers.
My levels are 50 something % in one ear and 63% in the other ear, so I don’t qualify just yet until both ears have 60 or less. So, my dilemma is do I spend $6,000 on two new hearing aids that may not give me much improvement for who knows how long or do I wait and take my chances at some point and have the implant?
Lots of questions.
I have an appointment for an eval in two weeks, so hopefully I can get some answers. Thank you for your reply!
If you get implanted on one side, often that hearing aid can be swapped to the other side as a back up, so it’s not a waste.
I’m starting to wonder if I should stay with new hearing aids, but what if I spend $6,000 and in two years or less realize I need the implant? I still have some hearing, so it’s not a case of nothing to lose getting the implant.
Thank you so much for your reply.
This is one reason why the cochlear evaluation is so important. Not only will it test your hearing but it will also see if it’s desired and needed to support your life. The medical people want the implant to be successful.
When a person’s hearing gets bad enough, the CI will be attractive. The desire to hear again is important.
I truly know how important hearing is. I was all ready to order new hearing aids when the Audiologist mentioned I am on the border of considering an implant. I’m thankful I’m not completely deaf, but so tired of not catching what people say.
I would consider Costco. The hearing aids are the same hearing aids you pay $6000 for, just rebranded to another name. You’ll pay $1500 at Costco.
@Vicki_R don’t spend all that money on hearing aids just yet. If you need to remove the implant you will most likely have little to no hearing left in that ear.
You have said
My suggestion would be to have your evaluation before you even think about buying new hearing aids.
Start researching the 3 CI companies, the pros and cons from each company, and how that falls into line with your lifestyle Try to figure out which one would suit you best. The reason I’m saying this is each CI company has a hearing aid that will pair with the CI.
So Advanced Bionics pair with a particular Phonak aid.
Cochlear pair with Resound aids.
Med El work with any hearing aid but you need an assistive streamer to pair to. (I’m sorry I can’t tell you much about Med El because I just don’t know much to tell you )
Then when you need to buy hearing aids you buy an aid that pairs with the CI. So you’re not wasting your money.
As @Neville said the aids do work in the other ear. I’m currently wearing a R side aid in my L ear. This is what Resound sent to me.
Good luck with your up coming appointment for you evaluation
My word recognition scores are very close to yours and I am doing great with my Oticon INTENT1 hearing aids. My VA audiologist talked to me about implants, but added that implants are a last resort. But my audiogram as for as tone test goes is at a severe level in the 1000 to 4000 hz range. In other words my speech understanding. But I have usable lows and high frequencies. Get the evaluation and pay close attention to the advice. I am personally happy with my INTENT1 aids.
Thanks, that sure would save a lot of money!
I’ll definitely wait for the eval before I buy new hearing aids. Just so much to consider. Thank you!
Thanks for sharing your experiences. I really don’t think I’m ready for a last resort just yet, but I do want the eval done in two weeks.
A little bit of my wisdom, find out what evolution says, and if it is positive that you should get an implant then before you make your final decision talk to the implant surgeon. I have had a couple friends that came out of the surgeon’s office and decide it wasn’t time, and I have had a few that has had great success with implants. I haven’t had an of my friends that went through with getting the implant or implants regret doing so.
I live in a community that is mostly over 65 years old and almost all of us have hearing aids, hearing loss, implants, or are a part of the deaf community. Living here has given me a totally different view of life.
Thank you for sharing your experience. I’ll still do the eval, but I’m beginning to feel an implant isn’t right for me just yet. I hate to spend $6,000 for new hearing aids, though.
I know there are less expensive places to buy them, but I have to have the earpiece receivers that are molded to my ear shape for comfort. I have Fibromyalgia, so basically everything hurts me, lol.
No push at all, but Costco can do molds. Last time I checked they charged $40 per mold or $80 per pair.
That is great news! Thank you for the info. That might save me a lot of money.