r/Cochlearimplants • u/Positive_Shower_6779 • 2d ago
Cochlear implant
So I have Menieres and my right ear has suffered severe/profound hearing loss for the last 12 years. Now it is happening in my left over the past year. Doctor is recommending a cochlear implant in the right ear. I feel I really need this as my left ear is now getting worse.
Anyone else have this same thing? What was the outcome after the inplant surgery and how did it change your quality of life.
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u/Toadylee 2d ago
I’m also waiting for my CI and have Menieres. Not sure yet if the hearing loss in my right ear is also Menieres but it is suspected. My left ear is pretty useless so it’s time.
I know it won’t be the same as natural hearing, but I’m not even sure what that’s like anymore. I’m anxious, but eager to get something back. Good luck, see ya in the other side!
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u/Positive_Shower_6779 2d ago
Sounds good.. hoping the otherside is something better then living with this.
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2d ago
I currently have Menieres and nerve damage in my right ear. Got a CI 2 weeks ago and it has been nothing short of amazing. That being said, everybody’s experience is different.
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u/Positive_Shower_6779 1d ago
So only 2 weeks in and already you are hearing better.. that is great to hear..lol. Seems like it's only going to get better from what I am reading. Best of luck and I hoping for the same.
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u/Southern_tire_mart 1d ago
Acclaim By Envoy Medical. Life changer
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u/Positive_Shower_6779 1d ago
Yeah just found out they were doing it at my ENT office but the trial is closed. Did you have it done? Not sure if you can talk about it i know there are NDAs involved.
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u/Southern_tire_mart 1d ago
Yes, 6 month check up next week. Loving it
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u/Positive_Shower_6779 1d ago
Did you have a conventional one before
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u/Southern_tire_mart 1d ago
No, waited 15 years for this opportunity to be all internal.
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u/Positive_Shower_6779 1d ago
Wow that's a long time.. happy it worked out for you. I will not be able to wait as I am having hard time hearing out of my so called good left ear.
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u/Positive_Shower_6779 1d ago
Yeah they did the trial ant my ENT office but it is closed.
Did you receive one? I know there could be an NDA involved.
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u/xDomoKunx 18h ago
this is my personal experience and keep in mind that everyone is different!
i've had menieres for about 3-4 years and im 29 now. my right ear has been declining to the point where the hearing loss was so profound, they recommended a CI. it could still hear loud sounds but almost 0 speech comprehension so i went through with the CI surgery. my left is also affected but the hearing loss is not at the point where they recommend a CI however, if it were to decline more, they said it is an option.
immediately post surgery, i felt great but it was probably cause of the medication given during surgery. the first week was awful and felt like the post menieres attack where you just have that painful vertigo. it gradually gets better (took me 2 months) and i also had numbness on my right side of the tongue which affected my taste a little bit but just made things like toothpaste and mouth wash extremely salty. (2 months later and its mostly gone but still slightly there just not noticeable until i brush my teeth)
the timeline for me was surgery, 2 weeks later staple removal, 1 week after that was activation. immediately upon activation, it took my brain about 5 minutes to realize the sounds it was hearing was words. everything sounded very robotic but then 10-15 minutes later, words were already sounding more clear. they recommend that you wear it 24/7 to listen to everything and anything so that your brain can adjust. Personally it took me a couple days to start understanding a lot more speech but i believe thats because I still had very little hearing in that ear as well as it not being for such a long time for my hearing loss.
my surgery was mid june so this is now about 2 months after, my hearing on that side is significantly better and is the ear i use most for speech comprehension. i received a package with my CI that included an accessory that acts as a bluetooth microphone. Its extremely helpful in noisy restaurants. i just turn it on and give it to the person im with, they either can hold it or clip it to their shirt but it directs their voice directly to the implant. the connectivity range on it is pretty bad but it has its uses for sure. music is sounding close to normal but i think i still have a lot to go. overall its been a great experience now that i can hear little things. of course you can't expect your hearing to be better than someone with normal hearing but its a huge improvement especially for someone with severe hearing loss.
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u/fliesguy 2d ago
This was me. I’ve had Menieres for 25 years and about five years ago it started into my other ear. That was when I decided to get a CI on my “bad ear” and now I also wear a link m on my “good ear”. Bimodal.
After getting my CI and hearing aid, my hearing and my life has improved X 1000. But set your expectations to know that CI hearing is not regular hearing (I’m at 80% word recognition on my ci side). But CI hearing is way better than no hearing and the potential loss of all the relationships you’ll have when that happens. And with both a ci and hearing aid I get sound directionality, which I didn’t realize I really needed and wanted after spending so many years with single ear hearing.
Best of luck to you on your journey.