Testimonial

CI Implant Recipient: March 31st, 2011

I first began seriously thinking of a Cochlear Implant (CI) back in 2002 when I went completely deaf in my left ear...but the nearest CI Center was in Boston…

I was excited when I heard that Mercy Hospital has approved this process. After a few months, the surgery was set for March 31st.

Surgery was scheduled and I was very nervous. The staff at Mercy Hospital were terrific, I couldn’t have asked for better treatment.

It was three weeks till the CI could be turned on; I had no problems from the surgery, and almost no pain. The doctor didn’t cut off much hair. The staples were removed in 8 days; it took two minutes and was painless. I realized I had almost no scar and it was difficult for anyone to see that I had even had the surgery done. I was back to work in 10 days. There was a little soreness but nothing major, I felt great.

Being one of the first CI’s for Mercy MKM ENT Associates, was a learning process for everyone involved. I was completely overwhelmed when it was first turned on. Everything sounded so weird, voices sounded like “Alvin and the Chipmunks:’ I was asked to listen for “beeps and tones” and had no idea what they were supposed to sound like. It seemed to take forever...and I was nervous and sweating buckets. I was very concerned about what I was hearing, I couldn't understand voices, couldn’t hear the doctor jingle his keys. After all the testing was done, my CI was programmed and I was sent out into the noisy world...I was a bit disheartened.

What was crucial as I look back was the sessions with Cathy Janelle from hear ME now! This would be my turning point; Cathy’s knowledge and training were just what I needed. She was able to explain to me what I was hearing and how the exercises were training my brain to work with my ears again. What I can say, it has been a huge improvement from that upsetting day when it was first activated. I would strongly recommend hear ME now! to everyone who receives an implant and after each new programming. It just gets better and better each day.

My social life has been completely turned around. I’m talking to people everywhere I go. I’m slowly building my confidence in the implant. I am so thrilled with the CI and the clarity of the voices I am hearing. I have begun to talk to people who I used to avoid because I just couldn’t understand them and now I can. There are no words to express how that makes me feel, every day is a new day and a new adventure. It’s thrilling!

Sincerely, D.