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Surgery in 2 weeks (16th July)!

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On May 5th I went for my cochlear candidacy testing. Today (2nd July) my insurance approved the procedure, so the surgeons office called and I will have the implant on my left ear on July 16th. So 2.5months I guess from first appointment to my surgery date. Surgeon has recommended I take a week off work to recover so I will use FMLA (approved). I will be going with Cochlear, due to the new implant and sound processors that were released, plus I overall feel I trust Cochlear more from my research and conversation with the surgeon.

I didn’t expect such a fast turn around in terms of pre approval being granted and a quick turnaround to surgery. So now, I’m extremely nervous and anxious. I’m not a hospital/surgery person whatsoever. Any advice?

I have some info from the surgeon etc obviously, but would love to hear from those who recently got surgery or who have Cochlear implants.

My activation is scheduled for just over two weeks post surgery.

My left ear is 0% word recognition but does pick up sound thanks to a hearing aid. I’ve posted before about this but the surgeon sounded extremely hopeful about my chances of this procedure helping and improving my life. Hoping this is a good sign!

Sorry the post is a bit of a waffle sandwich, I’m nervous, lots to process and prep for whilst also still working in the meantime and it’s just under 2 weeks.

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All the best for you! I hope it really helps and please keeps us posted here. And congrats on getting the approved

@JimmyStix said:

I didn’t expect such a fast turn around in terms of pre approval being granted and a quick turnaround to surgery. So now, I’m extremely nervous and anxious.

This is pretty much the way it was for both of my implants. When the wheels get to turning it happens fast.

IMO you have made a great decision about the Nexa system. It’s the future and I am a little envious.

You probably have a list of tests and things the doctors need prior to the surgery. It will help you pass the time. Lots of help here on the forum if you have questions.

Relax, piece of cake.

Jimmie,

Congratulations on your decision to go forward and I had surgery on 5-22 and was activated 6-11. So far, so good. Working on reading to myself for at least an hour, streamed programs (Hearoes etc)., audiobooks and trying to watch captioned TV with no aid in my right ear.. My path is almost exactly as yours is planned.

Surgery on left ear, keeping aid on right for now. Some very real post-surgery experiences, not to scare you but how it happened with me. Just prepare. Not sure your age or how you do with anesthesia - I do not do well. A combination of that, not getting a premed shot or pill (ask your doc about this) for nasuea, and the headband and cup pressure over the surgical ear that they apply for protection, bleeding etc was agony. I had nothing for nausea and ended up with an awful vomiting episode after being released - 5-6 times. On a completely dry system as you cannot eat or drink 10-12 hours before surgery and I ended up being dehydrated with uncontrolled blood sugar and ender up in the ER for 8-10 hrs. Most others were not this bad. Maybe get the nausea shot and see when you can get that headband-cup off it is extremely uncomfortable and gave me headaches. All the worst was over when I got that thing off.

Mrs. Smelt was a hero and supported very much. She thought to bring a couple of plastic shopping bags - they were needed for my sickness. At least one bottle water of water to rinse if you need. She got a wedge pillow to sleep upright as you will need to. A good investment of like $30-40 - or have a good chair to sleep in. Got me a shower cap as I was asked to not wash hair for 3 days.

I have Cochlear Nucleus Nexa like you are getting and am using the Nucleus 8 now and my first post-followup mapping after activation is 7-6, just a couple days ago.

PM me if you need any info on my experiences and journey so far. Happy to call you as well if you would like. You will do just fine.

Good luck

@JimmyStix said:

So now, I’m extremely nervous and anxious. I’m not a hospital/surgery person whatsoever.

Congratulations on moving forward with your .
I don’t know any recipients who were not anxious pre surgery.. We worried about anything that could go wrong. For most of us it’s plain sailing though. I sat on the fence for 18 month, before booking a surgery date. I know I chatted to a woman in the USA who kept me calm the night before pre op. You’re not alone feeling anxious.

Use this time to set yourself up with rehab options. Join your local library for an app that gives you free audiobooks. Download I angel sound ( that’s 1 word) and perhaps Hearoes. Spotify is excellent for podcasts, audiobooks and music. Just remember it’s not a race, it’s actually a 12 month marathon.
Good luck to you on your new hearing journey.

Good to hear from you. I had my surgery on April 10 and activation 3 days later on the 13th. While post surgery was a little uncomfortable for a while, I really had no significant problems. I was able to ditch the hard plastic ear protector after one night. Also, my ear was, at first, numb and from there it was sore, especially around the edges. It’s still a bit tender almost 3 months later. Nevertheless , that’s small potatoes. My implant is on the right side—Cochlear Nucleus 8 and a Resound Nexia in the left. I wear the implant daily from the time I rise to when I go down for the night. I practice in various ways: listening to audiobooks, listening to the tv or radio without my aid, using the exercises provided by Cochlear etc. it’s coming along. I definitely am hearing better. My one area which hasn’t improved is hearing in noise or in group situations. In fact, I think that’s worse. However, I’m hopeful that it will improve, since I’m only three months into this journey. This surgery has been going on for 50 years, so there’s vast science and experience out there. Look forward to it going well.

@Roberto2 said:

My one area which hasn’t improved is hearing in noise or in group situations. In fact, I think that’s worse.

Something you might try is to start taking the hearing aid off in those environments. Force the to learn. It will be frustrating for some time but that CI will improve.

Of course you’re nervous! surgery, unknown change. Etc. be kind to yourself., it’s just the old liars brain trying to keep you safe.

For what it’s worth, I felt that way even when I got my 2nd implant. But like you, I had 0 word recognition. What’s the risk?

And I needed some coaching from these great people on Hearing Tracker. Keep on going forward one step at a time. Sounds uncomfortable but totally normal

Best wishes

Jimmie,

Didn’t want to paint a bad picture - you got this! I am and have been entirely asymptomatic for at least 3 weeks. A bit of tenderness on the ear where the nucleus sat after 10-12 hours. OK now. I have exactly what you are getting. My second followup was yesterday, no testing but did some other stuff I will post on my own thread. Cochlear gives you two processors in any combination you want for a couple months, then you decide what combination you want between Nucleus 8 Nexa or Kanso three. At least that is what I have right now in USA.

I started with Nucleus8 and got a Kanso 3 yesterday. So I have one of each but she advises that she can program bluetooth in only one at a time and she left it on Nucleus. I am much like Roberto. Wear it all the time every day with couple exceptions. Have not had a real noise test with the implant and Sphere in my other ear. Have a wedding reception this coming week so that will be a test.

You will be well prep’d right before surgery so fire away any questions and you will be more comfortable going in than you think. I just had some bad post issues so ask away. You won’t regret your decision. I am impressed on some of the things now that I did not expect so fast. You will too!

Thanks all for everything so far. I’m just nervous as anything, but I’m realising that’s not normal.

My clinic in the USA is a one sound processor only clinic unfortunately, so I need to decide between Kanso or N8. I’m currently leaning towards the N8 because I’m very very active (run, swim, cycle, soccer, pickleball, etc) and being outside a lot I think the N8 would stay in place better, plus allow me to have backup batteries charged and ready to swap out as needed.

@JimmyStix said:

I’m currently leaning towards the N8 because I’m very very active (run, swim, cycle, soccer, pickleball, etc) and being outside a lot I think the N8 would stay in place better, plus allow me to have backup batteries charged and ready to swap out as needed.

I agree the N8 will be less prone to falling off but it can. The snugfit might be needed for sports.

Battery life on the K3 is much higher than the N8 with a standard sized battery. My K2 processors have been outstanding as far as battery life. The N8 will probably need new batteries in 1.5-2.5 years. So plan on replacements.

The K3 is less prone to be affected by sweat than the N8. Both can be wiped off or shaken dry and keep going if they get wet. Mine have been very reliable.

Good luck and keep us posted.

@JimmyStix all the very best for surgery day

@Raudrive said:

The snugfit might be needed for sports.

I found the snugfit very uncomfortable to wear. It a piece of wire covered in some form of plastic covering. The wire does eventually bend once to many times and breaks. Sorry I can’t remember how long it lasted.
Whereas the hugfit is a circle of stretchy silicone. This is very comfy to wear and hold the N8 firmly in place around the ear. After about 1.5-2 years the silicone can tear. So think along the lines when you get new batteries get a new huggie as well.
IMO the N8 would suit better for a person who loves playing sport. Even though the K3 does have some form of retention the N8 would be the better option for retention.

Good luck to you on your new hearing journey.

Just to clarify. The second one that I get is a backup that is held in reserve by the clinic. I will choose my daily wearing one and if and when needed they will have the backup processor. I have both now and have to swap between programmed, bluetooth N8 and just turned on Kanso3.

Cochlear offers 3 accessories to me right now. I chose TV Streamer, mic and remote(right now.). It comes with a charger and two batteries and a dryer already. Kanso has a hairclip (I find a bit wonky).Cochlear is now offering a “card” for choice of a 4th accessory to be used by end of February or year or something like that.

One of yours may be the waterproof thing. Cochlear claims IP68+ but I am not sure I would trust that. In ragards to the snugfit my first thought on that was a sports headband like you see football (Mahomes and the like) wear. Absorbs sweat ans when done and ready to hit the shower take both off and go back to regular wear - I have not tried just a thought.

I would check again with your Cochlear rep, your surgeon and your audi on getting a primary and backup and how you are supposed to know which one to get as daily use if you have not had surgery or worn either to see what works best for you. Makes no sense.Also what accessories.

FYI, if you register on the Cochlear site, there are training webinars with actual reps an new equipment and accessories and you can hang on after and ask rep live if you have questions. If you have already been assigned a rep might want to give a call. They have been most helpful.

My two cents., Regards and continued good luck.

@smeltjr said:

The second one that I get is a backup that is held in reserve by the clinic.

This is odd, never heard of anything like this. That second processor is paid for by you or your insurance company. It doesn’t belong to the audiologist. It’s not theirs to use or hold. In their hands it doesn’t serve you well as a backup when you really need it.

Might be worth checking into. Check receipts to see who paid for the second processor. If your audiologist paid , all good.

@JimmyStix said:

I’m extremely nervous and anxious. I’m not a hospital/surgery person whatsoever. Any advice?

I have some info from the surgeon etc obviously, but would love to hear from those who recently got surgery or who have Cochlear implants.

Chiming in! Like you my process was quick. First appt Oct and surgery was Nov 12th. Understand the anxiety I had it as well. So happy you found this board as it was SO helpful to me throughout the journey and still is!

I knew that I have experienced nausea post anesthia in the past, so my dr had a nausea prescription called in that I filled before surgery; also at the hospital the anesthiaologist (sp?) also applied a nausea patch behind my other ear that stays on for like 24-48 hrs or something.
Agree with above comment, the band that holds the protective cup over the ear was the worst. I actually called my dr the first thing next morning to ask if I could loosen it up as it was extremely painful. She agreed and my sister helped me loosen it. From that point it was an easy recovery. Couple of days later the jaw was a little painful when chewing something hard but no issues.

I have both the N8 and Kanso 3. Going into it I was certain that I would prefer the Kanso but otentimes I gravitate towards the N8 - because it is linked to the app for easy control (only 1 can be linked at a time).

I hooked up the TV streamer by Feb and it streams only to my . I keep the volume extemely low or off on the TV itself so that it forces my brain to learn what it is hearing. I have had the captions on my TV for several years so it helps to read along.

I had 0% wrs going in to surgery with my CI ear - with my I could pick up “sounds” but when isolated no word recognition. My last testing I was like 72% word recognition; 90% sentence (or close to those, can’t remember exact). So 6 months of adjustments and learning - not perfect but compared to where I started…a true blessing.

While I was anxious going into it, I do think that it “helped” knowing that my wrs was 0 - truly had NOTHING to lose and everything to gain.

Good luck next week! Can’t wait to follow on your journey of success!

@nicmger said:

I had 0% wrs going in to surgery with my CI ear - with my HA I could pick up “sounds” but when isolated no word recognition. My last testing I was like 72% word recognition

Impressive.

Congratulations

Just wanted to wish you good with the surgery. A musician friend of my recently had the implant surgery. He is waiting to have them turned on. I am curious about the frequency response of the implants as I have a hearing deficit as well.

@Raudrive said:
@nicmger said:

I had 0% wrs going in to surgery with my CI ear - with my HA I could pick up “sounds” but when isolated no word recognition. My last testing I was like 72% word recognition

My surgery is at 7:30am on Thursday, so close. I’m so nervous and anxious and dreading surgery, I am getting a little stressed about it and assuming the worse…

@JimmyStix said:

I am getting a little stressed about it and assuming the worse…

This is so normal. As I wanted to go bilateral with no second guesses I was nervous too. What I found was this group of medical people waiting for me. They were absolutely great at their jobs. Super helpful. I could ask anything and got a real answer. This included the surgeon. By the time I was actually in the surgery room I was totally relaxed about the surgery. The group were that good IMO. My second surgery was just as good. Most of the medical group remembered me and asked how the first implant was going. A very comfortable setting. I bet you will have a similar surgery. Try to think about your new hearing and hanging out with the people you love. Hearing for the first time in a long time. It’s very exciting.

In reply to @JimmyStix

@JimmyStix said:

My surgery is at 7:30am on Thursday, so close

It’s Thursday here tomorrow, but I think your only heading to Wednesday. Wishing you all the best for Thursday and every success with your journey.

Exciting times ahead for you. Hearing the birds chirp for the first time in ages was a magic moment. Ruined shortly after by thousands of cicadas making a noise. Just standing in your kitchen just hearing the everyday normal sounds, trying to work out what that sound is? I remember standing in my kitchen, turning in circles trying to work out what that sound was. Someone had turned the tap on in the sink. It didn’t sound like water running used too as I remembered it. Things will sound different to what you remember them sounding like. That’s ok, its the new sound you’ll get used to it. Enjoy your new hearing journey, remember it’s not a sprint but a marathon.

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