Cochlear Implant Pre Surgery
It's been about a year since my last post, where I shared my experiences with hearing difficulties spanning two decades. Now, it's time for an update on the past 12 months as I prepare for a life-changing Cochlear Implant (CI).
In my previous post, I mentioned my intention to receive a Cochlear Implant in my right ear, which has been my most challenging ear with no speech recognition for the past 15 years. Since then, I've made progress by acquiring a more powerful hearing aid (HA) for my left ear, which still retains some residual hearing. The HA has been a tremendous help, allowing me to return to work and manage fairly well over the last 10 months. However, I still face limitations in noisy environments and struggle to follow conversations involving multiple speakers. While the HA has been excellent in specific situations, it falls short in larger gatherings or venues with a lot of people. I recently attended a family event, which proved to be incredibly challenging and exhausting. To put it into perspective, while most people expend less than 10% of their energy on listening, I find myself expending 80% to 90%, leading to constant fatigue.
In my previous post, I also mentioned that obtaining a Cochlear Implant privately was not an option where I live in Europe. Despite this limitation, I sought a consultation with the Cochlear Implant team at Frankfurt University hospital. It was confirmed that I was a suitable candidate for a CI. However, concerns were raised regarding my right ear, which had not functioned for 15 years. Initially, my plan was to acquire a private CI for my right ear and subsequently obtain one for my left ear. But over time, I decided to change my approach. Under the national program in my country, I am now scheduled for a CI surgery on July 19, 2023, in my left ear—the ear with residual hearing and a higher chance of success, according to my local surgeons. While I'm hopeful for a positive outcome, there is a risk of losing all residual hearing permanently. I have contemplated this decision extensively and ultimately concluded that the potential benefits outweigh the risks.
What's next in my journey? In July 2023, I will undergo the CI surgery, which means I will be completely deaf for at least two weeks—a challenging aspect of the process. After this period, the CI will be activated, akin to turning on a computer, and I will need to undergo programming. The surgery involves inserting 20+ electrodes into my cochlea, each managing a specific range of frequencies. Over the next 12 months, I will make regular visits to the hospital, around 10 to 15 times, to fine-tune and adjust the CI through programming sessions with an audiologist. This process is unique to each patient, as we work together to optimize the CI's performance. It's a time-consuming endeavor, as each new program setting requires a few weeks to evaluate how my brain responds and interprets the signals. Fortunately, there are remarkable technologies available, like Apple's MFI (Made for iPhone), which allows direct streaming of audio from compatible devices to the Cochlear Implant. This technology, which I currently enjoy with my HA, offers superior reliability compared to standard Bluetooth connectivity and significantly enhances the listening experience.
Looking ahead, I still aspire to obtain a CI for my right ear. However, I face a challenge since my country's National Program only covers one CI for adults. To pursue a second CI, I can explore the option of private treatment, which would involve returning to Germany and incurring a cost of €50,000. While the surgeons involved in my first CI have expressed doubts about the success of a CI in my right ear, the German medical team believes it is possible, considering that my auditory nerve had functioned for approximately 20 years, and I was not born deaf. Considering these reasons, I believe it's worth attempting.
Additionally, I am investigating the limitations of my country's national health system regarding bi-lateral cochlear implants. The Treatment Abroad Scheme, an EU initiative that allows EU citizens to receive medical care at the same level as citizens of another EU country, i.e., if the treatment is available in that country's public health system. For example it has been reported in the Journal of International Advanced Otology that in a number of EU countries adult patients are offered bilateral Cochlear Implants. My focus for the remainder of 2023 is on ensuring the success of the CI in my left ear.
I hope to provide another update before the end of this year to share my progress and experiences with the CI.