Here I am at the Sunnybrook waiting room after months drastic changes in hearing loss. I often wondered why my doctor and specialist were not referring me to this program until I became completely deaf in the left ear and a severe-to-profound hearing loss on the right.
It turns out that the criteria for this program is quite strict.
The Audiologist
The first appointment is a meeting with the audiologist and a University student. It was a two-hour session filled with education on the surgery, questions, paperwork, and several hearing tests in a sound booth.
Overall, the seriousness of the audiologist’s tone came mostly from the complexity of the surgery and the feeling that I could make the choice. (It is surgery, and we all know the risks). It is also difficult to say that a cochlear implant will be successful as there are varying degrees of success. As lost as I can be in real life, apparently I was right on the cusp of qualifying.
Today I was put through to the next appointment.
The Surgeon
Appointment #2 went quite differently. It opened up with:
“We were just reviewing your file this morning. Please tell me about your job.”
In this case, I went over the tasks I WAS doing with MANY people before unemployment and before losing my hearing.
Also, he compared my age (35-years-young) to the youth of a young child when it comes to surgery, my motivation was excellent (success rides on the patient’s motivation to relearn how to hear) and also that my second ear is something that they would like to look at now or in the I future.
If felt like a bit of a number… like I was being recruited as a potential positive statistic because of my age… and I don’t mind!! My write-up, case and health stats must have been met with positive reviews!!!
My Otosclerosis was progressing to the cochlea, and I knew this. My other specialist has referred me in part to make sure the cochlea could be inserted until it progressed to bone.
I handed over my CD with the MRI/ CT scan that I had done to track the progress of the Otosclerosis. I asked him my questions. I was sure to inquire about the “worst case” scenarios and potential risks.
The Dedication
If you are motivated, you will be successful! At least this is the impression that I received.
In the Dr.’s words, 50% of the success of the CI rely’s on the dedication of the patient. For the first 3 months, I am expected to practice learning to hear again for a minimum of 3 hours a day.
The Risks
Now, this is the big one for me. With the history of Otosclerosis, there is the potential that the side of the face can begin twitching with certain frequencies. It is a 10%-15% risk with my condition and it can evolve over time as the Otosclerosis progresses.
If this happens, they would turn off these frequencies.
Other mild risks could be face numbness, infection, dizziness, CI not working…. the list can drone on.
The Research
One thing that I have learned from asking other patients is that the results can range from mildly successful to very successful. In many cases, it can take up to two years to learn to hear at a reasonable level.Ā I really needed to factor in an account for this extensive journey ā this will not be a flip of the switch.
The way I look at this ā I have two roads I can take at this intersection in life:
Road one: is allow myself to become completely deaf (I am headed there), learn sign language, connect and make new friends, find a new career, becoming immersed in a new culture, and ask the world to accommodate.
Road two: take the risk of the CI, dedicate my time to learning to hear again (1-2 years), stay connected with the life and community that I know: friends, children, family, career, plus connect and educate those around me about being hard of hearing and Deaf culture.
I see two roads and they are both a long journey that requires time, dedication and the potential to become an emotional roller-coaster.
I signed the paperwork so therefore I am on the list!
It could be waiting 1 year or 6 months. Nonetheless, my heart lifted as I left the hospital. Let the ride begin!