Cochlear Implant Meeting

L

Lon

Well-known Member
Location
Central California
I went to a meeting last night and was able to meet a dozen or so people of different ages that had Cochlear Implants for the past two to ten years. I was so jealous that these folks are able to hear things that I can't. They of course could hear and understand my questions but I had to strain and lip read to try and understand them. A rep for the company making the implants was there as well. The procedure it's self is one to three hours and is done on a out patient basis and requires multiple visits over a period of months to fine tune the implants. It's a involved and time consuming process that will require some deep thinking on my part. Financially there is no problem despite the whole procedure running about $100,000. Medicare or the VA would cover my costs if I had the procedure. Despite living in a town of 500,000 people there is not one ENT physician that does the procedure. I would have to go to Stanford U. San Francisco or Los Angeles. The thought of going back and forth for follow ups is less than exciting. My age apparently is not a factor as there were several people that were in there mid 70's and early 80's when they had implants. It would be so nice to be able to hear good music and birds chirping before I croak.
 

Lon,

Would it be possible to get a little efficiency apartment for six months so you could stay close to where your follow up visits will be done and have an adventure in a new area instead of commuting back and forth.

Good luck!
 
I was going to say the same thing as Bea. Hook up with a small apartment and a local Senior Center closer to the visits and have the procedure! Good luck.
 

Since I have a hearing problem also, but luckily am helped with hearing aids, I know what it is like not to hear the birds and a host of other sounds. Go for it, the inconvenience will be well worth it a million time over.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top