Anyone here have a Cochlear Implant ?

[Too Many Projects]

Originally Posted by Charley Lillard

Been chatting with him. Thanks everyone. After surgery I am deaf in one ear with a really loud ringing that is driving me nuts.

I was wondering if there was enough of your hearing "parts" left after surgery for a cochlear to work, but if your DR thinks it would help, there must be.

I have lived with that ringing my entire life and was classified 4F, medically unfit, to be drafted into the military because of severe high frequency hearing loss at age 19. It has gotten worse over time and is now the predominant sound I "hear". I know the feeling of it driving you nuts...
I'm surprised to read Medicare will cover the implants, as they wouldn't 10-12 years ago, but did cover about 50% of my hearing aids at that time.
I hope you can get help with this and maybe get some/all of your hearing back and a reduction in the ringing. I was told even with the implant, I would still have it at some level because of the damage done during infancy.

[olredalert]

----I've had Tinnitus since my mid 20's in both ears due, probably, to excessive open exhaust noise. Sometimes worse than others. Sucks, but I live with it, and at times even forget the noise. Luckily just the hearing aids keep my hearing issues at bay....Bill S

[Mr70]

Sorry to Hear this Charley...no pun.

[PeteLeathersac]

‘

Interesting thread and comments.
I'm one-eared from birth w/ zero sound one side, it’s there but only for looks also to hold my glasses.
Well used to the ringing head (mine sounds like fluorescent light ballasts) plus no ability to tell direction sounds come from or hear music in stereo…lots more that’s all part of it.
Worst for me is dizziness which has largely increased in recent years as the body’s ability to counteract fades w/ youth, now replaced by meds that only marginally help.
They do make Relay style Hearing Aids w/ microphone in dead ear that relays sound to a speaker in the other that may help some but I’ve never bothered w/ anything.
A Cochlear w/ risks including worse dizziness not worth it for me personally also they have no guarantee of usefulness or will ever work like a real ear does/did.
They're only partially covered w/ our Med system here in Canada…although they’ll 100% pay to turn your penis inside out?
Anyway, you're doing the right thing, read/learn all you can before agreeing to anything, talk to lots of people w/ them including some who experienced negative results.
If one ear still good, best advise from a lifer as myself, maybe try the Relay Hearing Aids first but get used to it/live w/ it for a good long while before making any surgical decisions.

~ Pete

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[kwhizz]

Darn !!!!!!!!

[Pro Stock John]

I have some tinnitus from playing in bands and being around a lot of drag cars.

[1903USMCUnertl]

prayers

[Charley Lillard]

After having a long conversation with Jim Park's brother Rick I have decided to get the implant. Rick has the exact implant my Doc said he liked. There are I think 3 different makers of implants. Rick told me to "Get it done yesterday!" Life changing for him. I asked if he could feel this thing installed in your head and he said you don't even know it's there. After reading up on it the creepy part is they grind a pocket in your skull to put it in.It will bluetooth to your phone, tv etc. In fact he said he was listening to the tv when I called. Not sure on the Doc's scheduling but if you see me at MCACN don't slap me on the side of the head.

[Charley Lillard]

If it all goes to crap I'm going to blame Jim and Rick.....

[Z282NV]

My wife and I wish you all the best Charley.