My audiologist said everyone does the same thing I did. While listening to the list of Cochlear Implant expectations, people tend to think “Oh, I’ll be different. That won’t happen to me!”
Here are the 16 items read to me about the reality of receiving a cochlear implant (CI). These were my experiences. Do I regret having a CI? No. I benefit hugely from my CI. But, it is important to know these possibilities. If you wish, you can download a PDF of this list of Cochlear Implant expectations for yourself or someone else considering or having recently received a Cochlear Implant.
- Hearing ability with a Cochlear Implant varies from person to person.
- Having Cochlear Implant surgery will destroy all remaining hearing in the implanted ear and does not cure hearing loss.
- At first, sounds will seem very different from how you remember them.
- In order to receive the most benefit from the Cochlear Implant, you must use the implant system all the time.
- At first, all voices may sound the same. Often times they seem robotic or like cartoon characters. This is normal.
- The clarity of speech sounds continues to improve over time.
- You will benefit from consistent listening practice and training.
- If you use a hearing aid in your opposite ear, it is beneficial to stop using it for a couple of months.
- It may take months or even years to reach the best hearing performance.
- It can be difficult to recognize which direction the sounds are coming from.
- Background noise can make it difficult to understand conversations.
- You might always need to rely on lip-reading to enhance your communication, especially in noisy situations or in group conversations.
- Talking on the telephone will always be more difficult than face-to-face communication. Not all Cochlear Implant recipients are able to use the telephone successfully.
- Your ability to understand the speech when watching television will likely vary depending on the person talking and other factors.
- Music will sound different from what you remember. Some Cochlear Implant recipients never enjoy listening to music.
- Becoming a Cochlear Implant recipient is a time-consuming process, which requires a lot of dedication and patience.
My audiologist added, after reading this list to me, that she has yet to hear a recipient say they are glad they have the implant within the first two months after activated. So be patient!
