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CI Considerations

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Hi all,

New to the forum. Been a hearing aid user for 30 years (I’m 35).

Sharing my most recent hearing test. My left ear has always been this terrible; no WR but I was always stubborn/conscious about going the route. I’m starting to realise I would benefit immensely from a CI in my left. What about my right? I’m guessing yes, but maybe after some time.

I have so many questions. And so many nerves. I’m originally from the UK, but moved to the USA 10 years ago, so still learning the healthcare system here as I’ve not used it too much asides from hearing tests/physicals.

- My insurance covers 80% of cochlear costs after my deductible. I see prices ranges up to 100k for CI. Is this accurate? I’d still be looking at 20k out of pocket if that’s true…

- Can you do water activities with them in? Or do you need special equipment?

- I play soccer. Would this still be possible with CI’s?

- What is this activation date I see people mention? Are you deaf from post surgery up until this date?

- Surgery makes me nervous. I’ve had bad surgery experience from my childhood. How was the surgery?

- For those who went from severe-profound in 1 ear to a CI, how much better was hearing?

- I work full time in tech and my job would not make it possible to take too much time off. Is it possible to get back to work pretty quick after getting a CI?

- How long did adjusting take for those with CI? I hear there’s a good few months for this.

Anything else I should know about getting CI? I’m researching this and really feel it would benefit me, but want to hear (ha!) other peoples experiences. Apologies for all the questions etc, but I am so nervous now that I am finally opening up the door to exploring CI.

7 people in this conversation8 min readJump to latest

Welcome to the forum.

We can answer your questions but it might do you good to go to the Cochlear Implant section of the forum. That area is pretty specific to the subject with lots of real life experiences in writing. It might help you understand more about . Pending on medical reasons that left ear might be a candidate???

CI for most is absolutely life changing.

Good luck

Edited

Your insurance probably has an OOP max (out of pocket) that would limit how much you would have to pay. Something to look into.

Welcome to the forum @JimmyStix I’m guessing both ears would be eligible just looking at your .

Speak to your current and get a referral to a surgeon. The surgeons office will direct you to get an CI evaluation. This is intensive testing both ears with and without your hearing aids. It takes approx 2 hours.

Surgery in the US is generally day surgery, I don’t know one of the CI community here on the forum that wasn’t worried about the surgery.

Do some research into the 3 companies to familiarize yourself with what each company offers you that suits your lifestyle best. You can also make a video conference with each company’s representatives. This way you get to see each company’s CI processor.

Here on the forum we have a large number of forum members who either are or bilateral CI users. You will get help from these members as well. . It’s not a sprint to the end it’s a 12 months marathon until you finish your assessments. Good luck on your new hearing journey

Good for you for being brave enough to reach out and join the forum and ask questions! That’s a great step toward better communication. This Cochlear Implant Help5 website covers lots of the basics and answers a lot of your questions.

  • Insurance covered the bulk For me, my out of pocket due was less than a new set of $6000 . The company you choose for your will have people who help navigate with your insurance and can give you some clear # before surgery.
  • Yes, activities like soccer and swimming are great with a CI. There are various options for retention clips, bands, and waterproof accessories from each of the 3 companies (Cochlear, Med El, Advanced Bionics). I bike with helmet, wear a hat, swim laps all wearing my CI or waterproof activity battery case.
  • Activation “usually” takes place 3-4 weeks after surgery to allow for swelling to go down. But, this varies by surgeon and facility. You can always ask for a faster activation and they may accommodate you. You are “deaf” if the surgeon was not able to preserve what residual hearing you have in the CI ear. The other ear will be same as before with your HA. It can be tough, but I was able to manage my schedule at work to take a week off, then half days for a week and then full time but I let my coworkers know I will need some help. You can use your captioning for zoom meetings, phone app for conversations in the mean time.
  • Surgery is always concerning - but this is a well practiced event with good preparation and testing in advance. You can choose a hospital - not necessarily the one closest to you - to help you feel better about the experience. It is different for everyone - a positive attitude with the expectation of some discomfort as you heal is helpful. A week post surgery will feel a lot better! each day helps.
  • Adjustment varies a LOT. Some understand at activation but it sounds weird for a few months but gradually clears and sounds more normal as your brain adapts. Others have to take more time for their brain to interpret the new input and gain clarity.
  • You can learn a LOT just by getting your Ci Evaluation and discussing with your . it is a lot more in depth than most booth testing for HAs. Meeting with the surgeon after the eval is also very helpful. Reps from each company are very knowledgeable and are happy to zoom with you multiple times. I talked with all three companies more than once to make my choice.
  • I chose and have been quite happy. After you get some basics under your belt, I would e happy to message or zoom with you to answer more questions. There is a lot on this forum, so read older posts in the CI section.
@raylock1 said:

the surgery requires full anesthetic or just the twilight version

Both of my surgeries were full anesthesia. Can’t imagine twilight anesthesia for cochlear implants. Very delicate surgery.

I am also in my early 30s and wore hearing aids since about 4 after sudden SSHL and stubborn about getting a cochlear implant on my right ear due to a few concerns: uncertainty about what it would sound like, practicality and aesthetics, research on hair cell regeneration, and research on optical cochlear implants. I would hope not to be disqualified from being a candidate for treatments from the latest and greatest research in the future by getting a cochlear implant today. On the other hand, I’m worried that waiting too long could reduce the success rate of hearing rehab with a .

@garyg said:

I am also in my early 30s and wore hearing aids since about 4 after sudden SSHL and stubborn about getting a cochlear implant on my right ear

The OP hasn’t replied to this thread since opening it, not sure if they are still around. is a big decision for all of us. We each have our reasons for moving forward with implants. You are young and CI will most likely be life changing for you. It has been for most of us.

As you said waiting can be detrimental to CI results. @joanhawsey is a great example of someone that didn’t wait and had great results. Most of us have done great with CI.

Edited

I’m happy it worked out for them. As it seems like research is getting closer and closer to making breakthroughs that feel not too distant in the future, this makes the decision harder for me.

Understandable being as young as you are! At 61, I will take what is helpful now. Many in your situation get one and hold onto the other ear for future technology. I do think it is more than 10 years away. CIs took decades to get to the point they are now where it is offered to those who are borderline rather than deaf.

In reply to @Deaf_piper

@Deaf_piper said:

Speak to your current AuD and get a referral to a CI surgeon. The surgeons office will direct you to get an CI evaluation. This is intensive testing both ears with and without your hearing aids. It takes approx 2 hours.

Thank you. I had my Eval today and met the surgeon as well. So much information. But feeling I should go for it. Surgeon said both are candidates, but recommends left first then in the future think about getting the right done.

Based on my convo’ with the surgeon, I think I’m going to go with cochlear. His experiences with didn’t seem good compared to MedEl and Cochlear, and I wasn’t considering MedEl anyway.

I now have my scan and another appointment with nurses booked for just after Memorial Day. After this I will then have to wait on insurance approval. From then, surgery time I suppose. I’m still nervous about the whole thing but I feel like I’ll get benefits and nothing to lose with my left ear anyway at this point.

In reply to @joanhawsey

Thank you for all this info, it was useful. I’m leaning to Cochlear route for my implant. The audi I spoke with even said they typical see 60-80% recognition after a year, even for those in my situation. The surgeon also has good expectations from the fact my left ear has been stimulated for years with an aid, even if it wasn’t processing properly and hasn’t just sat ‘deaf’. He also feels confident I’d have good outcomes because, in his own words “you do not speak like someone who has been deaf most of his life. Your speech and pronunciation indicates you DID hear at some point, and this makes me feel good about this procedure for you."

Onward and upward and moving fast now on my process ( and follow up end of the month).

In reply to @JimmyStix

From reading this post you are clearly getting things done and moving forward.

I tried to get both ears done at the same time but my surgeon talked me out of it. I got the second about 3-4 months later. Since it was so close I didn’t have to do all the tests that were needed for the first implant, only a COVID test. The second implant went through insurance and medical easily. The hospital staff remembered me! I’m not sure if that’s good or bad…

In reply to @garyg

@garyg said:

On the other hand, I’m worried that waiting too long could reduce the success rate of hearing rehab with a CI.

I’ve read stories from people who left getting a for 4 decade’s, they did well and got a good result. Finding the form of rehab that you enjoy doing is the key to success. Finding the time in a persons busy life is a challenge also.

I can’t remember one member here who went for CI surgery who wasn’t worried about under going the procedure. Good luck to you as you on your new hearing journey.

and follow up officially scheduled for 26th May. I got a letter that my insurance approved my CT scan for the procedure yesterday, just 3 days after the CT was put in the system. Hoping they’ll be this quick with my actual implant approval.

Looks like my Cochlear center has sent off the pre-authorization letter to my insurance in advance today. I assume this means if it’s accepted around the time of my scan and that’s all good, next steps will be scheduling the surgery.

Moving scarily fast. Currently leaning towards Cochlear for their new implant to be honest, but does anyone have this one yet and want to share Cochlear experiences?

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