Bionic Wombat - Bilateral cochlear recipient

July 2010

2010-07-02T13:27:00.004+09:30

So folks, I am thinking this might be my last post on this blog. I have reached the point where there is not really much new stuff to report in the last six months

I think I have reached the peak, and plateaued. Both implants will not get any better or different now in both left / right ears . It has reached its "PEAK" like as in climbing Mount Everest - cant go any higher.

I may get new mappings once a year. So I guess you could say ‘watch this space’ – I may come back with a new posts

Until then, bye, and thanks for reading my blog and I hope it has helped you

Rob Dobson

June 2010

2010-06-08T16:33:00.006+09:30

Today, three years ago Professor Graeme Clark, inventor of Cochlear Implant gave me back my hearing, even today I am forever grateful to be able to listen / hear sounds from all directions.

May 2010

2010-05-03T08:47:00.001+09:30

May 2010 will be a busy month with masters assignments - sigh

30 / 5 / 2010 I did five hour 130 km bike ride in rain / wind and surprised how both my cochlear implants survived the beating.

April 2010

2010-04-06T06:38:00.002+09:30

TBA

March 2010

2010-03-01T20:49:00.001+10:30

TBA

February 2010

2010-02-04T13:07:00.001+10:30

I have accepted the offer for a place into the Master of Special Education from University of Newcastle NSW.

January 2010

2010-01-05T20:54:00.003+10:30

Welcome to the new year 2010

I had bilateral mapping done today - very small tweaks here and there, nothing major in terms of leaps and bounds, I have pretty much reached my limit and hearing capabilities.

One minor change was the program settings - P1 everyday P2 noise P3 focus

One of my processors was showing wear and tear around the on/off button and rubber flap where you open / close for plugging in accessories. All covered by warranty.

I recently did a Charity bike ride called Amy's ride in Geelong in Victoria, 120 kms over four hours and the brief wet weather really tested out my bilateral processors and both were dry at the end.

December 2009

2009-12-01T07:28:00.006+10:30

Today is one year anniversary for the switch on - my right ear

7/12/2009 - I attended an telecomunications seminar last night - speakers talked about emergency services i.e. sms warning systems (ACMA) - Captioned telephone i.e. demonstration (ACE) - video relay service & video relay interpreting (ACE) and Natasha Stott Despoja who gave an inspiring speech

November 2009

2009-11-02T10:43:00.003+10:30

I did a 100 km bike ride for a good cause - Amy's ride - 100 km mission completed despite rear puncture in searing heat and never drank so much flapping powerade

Today is special milestone for me - time has flown .... today is 12 months since the CI operation in my right ear

October 2009

2009-10-02T07:13:00.004+09:30

Impressive new release of the cochlear implant system called Nucleus 5

http://www.cochlearamericas.com/nucleus5/

First thoughts

The new Automatic Telecoil, Instead of manually activating a Telecoil, the user simply picks up the phone and puts it to his or her ear.

The remote assistant - controls both two implants, allow to tweak each processor program settings for different needs, I like that but who can be bothered to carry an remote control with you all times. Most people have enough items in their pockets to carry everyday like mobile phones, car keys, wallets.

Just an thought - I have iPhone 3GS, it would be great if cochlear has 'app' that controls the processor settings via wireless bluetooth

The new software - great to see bilateral mappings can be done on the one screen showing both left and right maps

The question is I wonder if this new Cochlear Nucleus 5 System is currently compatible with Nucleus freedom as I have heard its not backward compatible with the ESPrit 3G

September 2009

2009-09-09T05:32:00.003+09:30

I went on my first road bike ride - 20kms and felt comfortable with the bike helmet and no problems with the bilateral implants.

I got myself like all others that have joined the iRevolution - the one and only iPhone 3GS. I am very impressed with the call quality when using cochlear impants and now waiting for audio cable so that I can listen to the iPod while riding along.

August 2009

2009-08-02T13:47:00.007+09:30

Hearing Awareness Week 2009 - One in six Australians suffer from some form of hearing loss

I have been looking for a road / race bike and one of the interesting things that struck out was trying to find the perfect bike helmet restraint system that will not knock off the processor 'coils' attached behind my head.

Anyone know of this work around ?

edit - I have found the perfect bike helmet - Rosebank Octane which has the retention system which fit snugly where the coils are placed behind my head.

Cochlear has lifted its annual profit by 13 per cent and says its results in the new financial year will be driven by the roll out of new products

Love that new sleek cochlear nucleus 5 - check out page 15

Edit - photos have been removed by Cochlear .........

http://www.cochlear.com/PDFs/COH_Full_Year_11_08_09_Analyst_Final.pdf

July 2009

2009-07-03T09:49:00.008+09:30

I thought it would be good idea to post a copy of my audiogram pre - cochlear implant.

The area where it's shaded ( 0-20 dbSPL range ) i.e. is what I am hearing currently with bilateral cochlear implants

I will interpret what this unaided audiogram tells us as it shows that I have a severe to profound hearing loss

Left ear

.125 kHz - 80 dbSPL
.250 kHz - 95 dbSPL
.500 kHz - 105 dbSPL
1 KHz - 115 dbSPL
2 KHz - 95 dbSPL
4 KHz - 100 dbSPL
8 KHz - 105 dbSPL

Right ear
.125 kHz - 80 dbSPL
.250 kHz - 80 dbSPL
.500 kHz - 105 dbSPL
1 KHz - 110 dbSPL
2 KHz - 100 dbSPL
4 KHz - 100 dbSPL
8 KHz - 105 dbSPL

This month will be an important milestone as I will be soon celebrating two year's anniversary for the highly successful switch on on my left ear.

I am nearly finished reading the book " Sounds from Silence " by Professor Graeme Clark, a must read book for all potential and current cochlear implant recipients as well for parents of children who are looking at options.

This is a powerful and moving book, never ending journey of one man's quest to give people a chance to give sounds from silence. He has proven the skeptics wrong. Best of all he is Australian and we are proud of him . My hat's is off to you Mr Clark, you're a legend and thanks for giving back my hearing.

June 2009

2009-06-01T06:34:00.033+09:30

Woah what a day Friday 12/6/2009

More tweaking with the Threshold & Comfort levels and noticed minor changes in the higher freq's in both mappings, nothing major

The CUNY ( City University of New York ) listening test i.e. listening to CD with long sentences i.e some up to 14-20 words, with American accent was a breeze and scored the following

CUNY score 99%correct with both left & right processors on ( bilateral )

CUNY score 99% correct in the left processor alone with right processor turned off

CUNY score 99% correct in the right processor alone with left processor turned off

I am very happy with that results considering that I only had my right implant implanted seven months ago

Mapping update - June 2009

Left map 12/6/2009

Right Map 12/6/2009

I have an appointment Friday week for Mapping and check up, looking forward to see what progress has been made since the February Mappings.

Drawing of bilateral cochlear implants from my 3 year old son

May 2009 Update

2009-05-18T09:14:00.006+09:30

Personal achievement - I have recently completed my post graduate studies in hearing impairment from University of Newcastle, Australia. I am now qualified to be a teacher of the Deaf. I am now currently looking for employment as teacher of the Deaf.

Graeme Clark saw what everybody thought was impossible and he was determined to do it. Albert Einstein said imagination is more important than anything. Guess who is laughing now

Quick note - thanks everyone for their kinds words on Facebook , personal emails and sms about me getting the 'Hearo' award from Cochlear Australia & NZ

Hearo Award 2009

loud shirt day

2009-05-15T07:21:00.002+09:30

Loud Shirt Day is an initiative of "deaf kids talking". This alliance is made up of five organisations throughout Australia, whose aim is to support deaf and hearing impaired children throughout Australia so they can learn to hear, listen and speak.

http://www.loudshirtday.com.au/Default.html

National Volunteer Week - 2009

2009-05-11T11:00:00.003+09:30

I am honored and humbled to receive the 'Hearo' award from Cochlear Australia & NZ - Made a valuable contribution to raising awareness cochlear hearing solutions and how they can improve the communication ability and quality of life for adults and children with moderate to profound hearing loss.

May 2009 - Photos of Feedom nucleus cochlear implant and Feedom rechargeable battery system

2009-05-01T20:01:00.011+09:30

April 2009

2009-04-08T06:57:00.005+09:30

Magical bilateral moment today - listening to the Aspro Clear ( dis solvable aspirin tablets ) fizzing away in the glass of water, I am so amazed that bilateral processors can pick up the smallest sounds. It sounded like "fizz" and "crackling"

One little thing that has started to annoy me is that battery cage is becoming harder to pull out from the processor - just requires little extra force.

Cochlear has a new A4 template on my story - check it out
http://www.c-a-network.com/print/storybrochures/a4storybrochures/robdobson.pdf

March 2009

2009-03-13T07:20:00.006+10:30

I was in awe watching / listening to the countdown spectacular on DVD - brilliant Australian 80's music. To be able to listen to the lyrics is wonderful. Alot of these Australian songs reminds me of my mis spent youth.

I have been finding that battery life in both processors seem to last longer, I have been using both rechargeable batteries and power one 675 type batteries.

More bilateral implant research -

A case when 2 are definitely superior to 1

http://esciencenews.com/articles/2008/05/29/bilateral.cochlear.implants.a.case.when.2.are.definitely.superior.1

February 2009 update

2009-02-12T16:44:00.008+10:30

9th Mapping session

More tweaking with the T & C levels and minor changes in the middle freq's

The CUNY listening test ( listening to CD with long sentences with American accent ) was a breeze and score 90%+ correct with both left & right processors on - I am very happy with that result considering that I only had my right implant inserted three months ago

Other changes was adding the T-switch program to processor mapping i.e. Program 2

Speaking of the T-switch I have found that using mobile phones and cordless phones to give off buzzing / humming interference :( So basically I use my normal program setting and cope just fine

Where as using the T-switch for corded phones e.g. land line phones - works like a charm

Magical bilateral moment happened to me today - listening to the rescue helicopter landing on heli pad @ Flinders medical centre - it was a buzz to be able to hear / listen to the helicopter rotor's going WHOOP WHOOP WHOOP like in the movies and stand close to helicopter

Cochlear

2009-02-10T10:30:00.000+10:30

HEARING implant company Cochlear has posted a 22 per cent jump in interim net profit and says it is well positioned for growth despite the challenging global economic environment.

Cochlear (coh.ASX:Quote,News) reported a net profit of $69.9 million and earnings per share (EPS) of $1.26 for the six months ended December 31, both up 22 per cent on the prior corresponding half.

February 2009

2009-02-05T06:20:00.008+10:30

Funny bilateral moment happened to me yesterday - As I was putting our 13 month old son into the car seat - my right magnetic coil got attracted to the metal pillar near the rear door and at the same time my son grabbed the left magnetic coil from behind my ear .......hairy situation to be in as the last thing I want is both coils damaged.

I am looking forward to the hearing awareness test ( test with left & right speakers) and listening skills test with both processors on - Thursday week and will post an update

Cheers big ears
BW

Recipient story on cochlear website

2009-01-23T10:01:00.001+10:30

http://www.cochlear.com.au/Community/599.asp?StoryID=1983

Right mapping update

2009-01-14T07:11:00.005+10:30

Right map January 2009

Massive difference in the dynamic range compared to the switch on map 6 weeks ago below

Left mapping update

2009-01-14T07:05:00.005+10:30

Left map January 2009

Last map was done 6 months ago and its gone leaps and bounds to where it stands today with the latest map pictured above - January 2009

Mapping update

2009-01-14T06:58:00.012+10:30

8th Mapping session

Had both of my maps ( left & right ) done and its wonderful to see both maps looking striking similar in most of the electrodes. Fine tuning both 44 electrodes was fun and hearing the 'softest ' of all lowest sounding beeps is getting easier and better. Both maps showing excellent dynamic ranges in all frequencies and hearing this made my grin / smirk wider knowing that both implants are getting a nice even balance

New Year commences - 2009

2009-01-01T08:30:00.007+10:30

Magical moment last night for NYE 2008 - chatting to the neighbors with beer in one hand in pitch black darkness under the moonlight and hearing & listening to every word that was being spoken, I would have struggled with this pre cochlear.

One month since switch on and loving it - looking forward to fine tune both processors to equalize the balance.

another note - love youtube and have a listen to this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1k08yxu57NA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E37-D7B0Wa8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZY0xk0VeDs&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQ798THmR5Y&feature=related

Update December 2008

2008-12-16T14:35:00.009+10:30

Happy Xmas everyone and Season's greetings as most of you going away on holidays this Friday 19th December 2008

More mappings have been scheduled for 2009 as implant center is closed for the Xmas / new year break and another mapping session booked for January 2009 and three month test for the right implant is scheduled for February 2009

Stay tuned for more updates and exciting 2009

Thank you for your support in 2008

update - not so magical bilateral moment - having blow flies buzzing around both processors microphones - damned noisy bloody bastards they are

Cheers big ears
BW

Mapping sessions

2008-12-02T18:56:00.032+10:30

Tuesday 23 December 2008

7th Mapping session

Still Fine tuning all 22 electrodes and improving as the day goes by and basically the same as the last mapping session with a better result due to increased threshold and comfort levels. They are getting better as my hearing is responding to softer sounds more than ever. Got new program installed ' Music ' from Smart sounds 2 and looking forward to experimenting both processors on the music setting

Wednesday 10 December 2008

6th Mapping session

Fine tuning all 22 electrodes and improving as the day goes by and basically the same as Monday with a better result due to better threshold and comfort levels.

Picked up the phone for the first time as its never been done for the right ear, used the T- switch for the first time and very successful using the phone with 70% result and able to carry on conversation using M /T setting on processor, this will improve over time especially at 3 month interval

Loved listening to these video clips
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=UYz38BDhXVE
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=VRsJlAJvOSM&feature=related
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=T_dnWWnKCTk
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=vnRqYMTpXHc

Magical bilateral moment's today - I have discovered that the ability to use a program 'Noise' is great in shopping centres and around screaming kids during school holidays :) HA HA take that you damned hearing people.

Monday 08 December 2008

5th Mapping session

Fine tuning the 22 electrodes and improving dramatically as the day goes by and basically the same as Friday with a better result. I am getting better at the beep test as I am listening to softer beeps and counting correctly how many beeps are there in a sequence.

One speech discrimination test I found very difficult was the nursery rhymes which I am not familiar with, scored 11/15. Did the test again and better result 14/15. Other tests scores 7/7 and 10/10

Magical bilateral moment's today - hearing the notebook whirring away - its normally ultra quite

Friday 05 December 2008

4th Mapping session

First week gone, Fine tuning the 22 electrodes and improving dramatically as the day goes by and basically the same as yesterday with a better result (99% in listening and recalling longer sentences without looking at the audiologist mouth). Very happy with the progress so far. I am getting better at the beep test as I am listening to softer beeps and counting correctly how many beeps are there in a sequence.

I experimented with a new smartsound 2 program called "noise" in the car and it's bliss as it cuts out the road noise and I was able to hear speech more clearly. It's a very good program to have with bilateral implants.
http://www.cochlearamericas.com/Products/2303.asp

Looking forward to next week as it's the first time that I going to try to have a telephone conversation with my right ear.

Magical bilateral moment's today - listening to the waves crashing at the beach in true stereo and detecting the sense of directions where the helicopter flying in the sky and which car was starting up in the car park.

Thursday 04 December 2008

3rd Mapping session

What a session, much improved mapping with more natural sounds of voices and less robotic noises. The high pitch squawk is still there but less notable. Fine tuning the 22 electrodes and improving dramatically as the day goes by.
Still blown away by the speech recognition /discrimination tests as able to hear and listen longer sentences for e.g. ‘in order to lose weight you have to exercise regularly’

Magical bilateral moment today - hearing the grunt / roar of the v8 car from a distance of 100m out of all cars in the busy CBD street, it was sweet

Tuesday 02 December 2008

2nd Mapping session

Amazing what a mapping session does to your implant as the robotic sounds and high pitch squawk are becoming less noticeable.

The Beep listening tests are always the hardest - trying to listen the number of beeps in a sequence e.g. 1-2-3 or 1-2-3-4-5-6 and so far heard most of them correct. Power surge seem to be deceasing once the processor is turned on and fine tuning the electrodes threshold levels (the loudness level at which you are first aware of a sound) and the comfort levels (where sounds become comfortable and/or too loud) with each mapping session to determine the ''map'' that provides the best sound. This is becoming more evident when you see the on screen PC desktop

Scored 98% first time on speech perception / discrimination tests - ( 20 long sentences) the audiologist holds a piece of paper over their mouth and I just repeat what they say word for word and sentences to sentences not looking at them - prior to the assessment I only scored 0 -1 % with hearing aids on both ears

Got two programs from Smart sounds 2 installed in the processor and they are noise and focus

Mapping is the term given to the measurement and adjustment of electrode frequencies within the implant. At each mapping session, the audiologist works with the patient to determine the softest sounds they can detect, and also to measure and adjust the loudest sounds comfortable for the patient. Over time, maps become more stable and require less adjustment.

Telemetry check

2008-12-01T18:31:00.005+10:30

Friday November 14 2008 –A few days after the operation a "Telemetry" check is performed to ensure the cochlear implant is working as expected – all passed and heard beeps from all 22 electrodes

Very Successful switch on

2008-12-01T17:01:00.016+10:30

Monday 01 December 2008
I am happy to report that the switch on is a success and I am learning to cope with new sounds in the right ear and sense of direction. What was more amazing was to be able to hear / listen to four to five words at a time and a 10-15 short sentences with 95% success.

The sounds ( bloody awful ) are more Robotic and "jingle bells" type theme with lots of high pitched squeals and whistles. Some sounds are like two squirrels fighting. My poor brain is trying hard to adapt to hearing new sounds. So far I am loving it as was expected to hear these type of sounds and exploring more new sounds around the house.

No two cochlear implant switch on's are alike - both are completely different

Looking forward to many more MAPping sessions this week and next few weeks and in the new year to fine tune the BTE processor

This is it - the moment I have been waiting for

2008-12-01T05:39:00.001+10:30

Today is the day that my hearing is going from unilateral to bilateral - I will update this post once I get switched on - Bring it on

One more week to go till switch on

2008-11-24T07:47:00.014+10:30

The waiting suspense in the last two weeks has been killing me known as The Dead Silence Zone. I am slowly getting my balance back and walking bit faster now. In the mean time I have been researching and reading scientific research about cochlear implant especially bilateral cochlear implants in adults.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/videos/2007/0206-two_ears_are_better_than_one.htm
http://deafness.about.com/od/cochlearimplants/a/bilaterals.htm
www.cochlearamericas.com/pdfs/outcomes_using_bilateral.pdf

The main conclusion from published studies indicate improved understanding in noise and sound localization.

Interesting fact 3500 bilateral cochlear implant patients worldwide (Lustig & Wackym, 2005)

A fast growing trend is that there are over 4000 nucleus bilateral cochlear implant recipients

How hearing and a cochlear implant work

2008-11-21T17:11:00.000+10:30

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=i-iAZpNhBP8

Bilateral Cochlear Implants - Hear the Whole Story

2008-11-19T14:46:00.003+10:30

www.bilateral.cochlear.com/index.asp

Before and After - sutures / scar 4 cms

2008-11-18T08:47:00.004+10:30

I am so looking forward to having my surgical sutures removed today :)

Update - sutures removed and painless procedure - 2 minutes

Surgery

2008-11-18T08:40:00.014+10:30

My experiences with the Cochlear's Nucleus Freedom cochlear implant http://www.cochlear.com/Products/587.asp and the one I received 17 months ago for my other ear is the same one and so very exciting period going from unilateral (one implant) to bilateral (two implants). In 2007, I received the Nucleus 22 Contour advance electrode in my left ear, also from Cochlear. http://www.cochlear.com/Products/593.asp

Both surgeries went well despite the second time round went longer for some reason my right ear was more difficult to access to than my left ear.

I'm afraid tickets are not available for the event :)

Tuesday November 11 2008 - This is it ( goodbye hearing aid, nice knowing you for 30+ years ) The surgical procedure is done at St Andrews Hospital, one of Adelaide’s premiere major private hospitals, located on South Terrace, Adelaide. The Operation was longer than expected ( 4 hour operation ) Funny enough as this date 11/11/ is known as Remembrance day - a day to remember the sacrifice of whats was left of my residual hearing in my right ear. As this is it once the electrode is placed, point of no return.

Wednesday November 12 2008 – x ray showed electrode wrapped perfectly around the cochlear, which is expected and excellent news

Thursday November 13 2008 – Feeling the side effects of the operation
After the surgery, I had roaring tinnitus (ringing in the ears) as well as bouts of dizziness. I also lost taste buds on one side of my tongue. The tinnitus seems to happen at night and dizziness only lasted a few days. All are considered normal, possible side effects of having the surgery.

I became restless after a few days of TV / internet and Bed rest and asked my wife to take me shopping. We went to do some errands and I was surprised to find that I was still weak as I walked slowly and bit unsteady on my two feet.

I had to use a shopping trolley to help me walk faster, I am very surprised to walk slowly like an old 90 year old man . We were only gone for 2 hours and when we returned I crawled back into bed feeling completely depleted of energy. This went on for about 2 weeks and then I gradually began to return to normal.

After both surgeries I experienced moderate pain at the implant site as well as in my ear. The ear pain was intermittent dull ache pain like when you have an ear infection. It subsided after two weeks. I took Panadol to help alleviate some of the discomfort

My Story

2008-11-18T08:23:00.009+10:30

My name is Robert Dobson, I have severe – profound sensorineural hearing loss in both ears. My main form of communication is oral with very basic knowledge of sign language. I was born deaf but was not diagnosed until I was at least 3years old. At that time there was no hearing test for babies so my parents had to work out whether my hyperactive behavior indicated a hearing loss or not. I was fitted with bilateral hearing aids till I was 4 years old.

Throughout my schooling I relied heavily on residual sounds with two hearing aids plus lip-reading. Being in the mainstream in normal hearing classes (primary and secondary) was a challenge. I felt isolated from classroom peers and had support from AVT HI twice a week (Advisory teacher – hearing impairment)

One of the biggest challenges faced in my adulthood is dealing with the demands of the ‘hearing establishment’. Society is organized around hearing people, and major adjustments have to be made for me to confront everyday problems and did that with gusto and bravado .

Going through a university for normal – hearing people required a supreme effort for me and I was very lucky to get support for in the form of note taking and additional support for other areas of study. I graduated with two degrees – Bachelor of teaching and Graduate diploma outdoor education. I have been teaching on a contract / casual basis for 13 years and I teach mainly Physical education and some work as teacher of the deaf. I have recently completed my Graduate certificate in educational studies – hearing impairment from University of Newcastle

Over the last few years I had been hearing about cochlear implants from friends and my interest intensified when the nucleus freedom cochlear implant was introduced. I met with my Ear Specialist Dr Paul Varley and the wonderful audiologists at the South Australian Cochlear Implant Centre (SACIC) and we explored and discussed the benefits a nucleus freedom cochlear implant and what it could do for me.

Given that research and assessment period had demonstrated significant improvement for my hearing needs and communicating with a nucleus freedom cochlear implant I felt that I had nothing to lose but everything to gain. The surgery for the cochlear implant was performed on Tuesday the 19th June, 2007 and on Wednesday 11th July 2007; my CI processor was activated at SACIC.

The moment of truth

All went really well and exceeded my and the audiologist expectations I was overjoyed, my hands were trembling. At first that power surge (switch on) was scary as it sounded like a bunch of Indians going off doing the rain dance.

The very first sounds were like a washing machine. That settled down after 5 minutes. I am able to differentiate different sounds and pitch at various frequencies’ which is an excellent start. Hearing my wife Haze’s and our son’s voice was different – higher pitched than I am used to.

Heard different ( early days ) sounds like paper money rustling , my wife Haze sniffling, hands rubbing on my jeans , able to converse whilst driving home not looking at my wife hazel’s mouth ( no lip reading ) , paper rustling, sound of the keyboard clacking, surprised to hear how noisy having two computers running at the same time and crunching empty bag of chips sounded cool, going to the toilet for a leak ( Niagara falls ) sounded very loud.

Went to a Café Villi's for lunch and found the sound of people chatting to be very noisy was noisy and scrambled the coffee machines were loud as well dirty dishes banging together.

So far I am loving it and exploring more sounds around the universe. I am glad I went ahead with the decision and my hat is off to the bloke that invented the cochlear implant Professor Graham Clark and the hard working audiologist team at SACIC - three cheers for you

Impact of Cochlear Implant

The first thing was I am able to do is to listen not lip read. Scored 98-100% first time on speech recognition and discrimination tests. Prior to the assessment I only scored 0 -1 % with hearing aids on both ears. I have found too that my greatest success with the cochlear implant has been the ability to listen to most the car radio / television / people behind my back / music

Discussed the possibility of getting the right ear implanted ( update - its been done ) – The cost of replacing batteries is expensive but it does not outweigh the joy of getting real hearing back

The main benefits of getting the cochlear implant are restored detection of everyday sounds in the hearing environment, improved face to face communication, the ability to understand speech through hearing alone.

Being able to hear and listen my family with two young boys has been absolutely phenomenal and priceless