Connect with a mentor

Nucleus® 6 & Hybrid™ Hearing¹ System, Bimodal

Getting the Cochlear™ Implant has increased my confidence when interacting with people. I enjoy traveling the world!

A quick summary about Pam J.

• I wore hearing aids for a while as an adult, but they became less effective with time.
• I got a Cochlear™ Implant in my left ear when I was 66.
• I wear a ReSound Linx 9 3D in my right ear.

I had a mild hearing loss as a child and my hearing worsened as I aged.  Because of the slow progression of my hearing loss and my ability to compensate as it got worse, I was able to get by. With time my hearing aids became less and less effective.  I got a Cochlear™ Implant (CI) in my left ear when I was 66. I use it with the Acoustic component and I continue to use a ReSound hearing aid in the other ear. Getting the CI has increased my confidence when interacting with people. I always felt stressed, because I wasn’t sure if I was hearing correctly. With the CI, I hear and speak more normally. I’m very happy with the CI and Resound hearing aid combination. My husband says he’s also happy because I can hear him better.

My biggest satisfaction in being a mentor is listening to what people are experiencing after they receive the CI. I have found that it is important to be proactive about practice and experimenting with accessories. The payoff is big. Quality of life is important to me and the CI has improved it – a lot.

1. The Acoustic Component should only be used when behavioral audiometric thresholds can be obtained and the recipient can provide feedback regarding sound quality.

I was born profoundly deaf and have received two cochlear implants. I received my first one as a child and my second one as an adult. I am a teacher of the deaf with children who are in preschool through second grade. I also volunteer with several hearing loss organizations. I enjoy traveling, hanging out with friends and family, hiking, being outside and reading.

Nucleus® 7 System – Bilateral

For me every day is a hearing adventure!

A quick summary about Sue M.

• I began losing my hearing as a result of a childhood illness.
• I was in hearing aids by the time I was in my 40’s and wore them for over 20 years.
• I received my first Cochlear™ implant in 2012, my second came a year later.

My hearing loss is a direct result of a childhood illness. I gradually lost more of my hearing resulting in bilateral hearing aids by the time I was in my 40’s. I wore hearing aids for over 20 years. As my hearing loss progressed, hearing and understanding speech became harder. My husband and I were square dancers but, it became extremely difficult to understand the callers and I wasn’t able to enjoy this activity any longer.  I avoided social activities.  When I learned about Cochlear in 2012, I was struggling and getting worse. I received my first Cochlear™ implant in 2012, my second one came a year later. Soon after that, I discovered that the world was a very noisy place. Hearing in stereo is wonderful! My activation day was truly a miracle. I was amazed at what I could hear – things I hadn’t heard in years. My husband says that my Cochlear implants are a miracle because he can now talk to me without having to yell. My confidence in dealing with daily life and social situations has returned. Being able to hear has improved my relationships with my husband and friends. My work requires dealing with the public and I now do it with confidence.

I love being a volunteer mentor and helping others on their hearing journey. My advice to new recipients is to use the three P’s:

• Patience – be kind to yourself, this is a journey not a sprint.
• Persevere – don’t be discouraged.
• Practice – the more you do, the happier you will be.

Spouse – Nucleus® 7 & Kanso® Systems, Bilateral

My husband can socialize more easily now and attend plays and shows.

A quick summary about Sherree L.

• My husband lost his hearing gradually over time.
• He received his first Cochlear™ implant in 2010 and became bilateral in 2013.
• I’m passionate about helping others find out how cochlear implants can help them.

My journey began as I noticed my husband having difficulty in conversations as his hearing began deteriorating. Reluctantly, he got a hearing aid, then a second one for the other ear. Because hearing aids amplify sound, being in crowds or in loud restaurants became unbearable for him. He couldn’t socialize or enjoy activities. Eventually, the hearing aids stopped helping him.

My professional background is in speech and hearing, and when my husband’s speech discrimination became very low, we both realized that he needed to see if he was a candidate for a cochlear implant. He received his first Cochlear™ implant in 2010 and went on to become bilateral in 2013. At each activation, we were amazed at his ability to hear environmental sounds and understand speech. He’s able to socialize more easily now, attend plays and shows, and comfortably eat out in most restaurants.

Since this technology has helped my husband to communicate successfully, I’m excited to share our journey with other families! I’m passionate about helping others to find out how cochlear implants can help them regain usable hearing and supporting them after activation. Volunteering for Cochlear is our way of saying “thanks” for this amazing technology!

Nucleus® 7 System – Bilateral

I’m an Air Force veteran. I enjoy music, yoga and talking to friends and family on the phone.

A quick summary about Denise B.

• My hearing progressively declined on my right side until I had little hearing left.
• In 2008, I lost the hearing on my left side overnight becoming profoundly deaf.
• I received my first Cochlear™ implant in 2009 and my second one in 2017 on my other side.

My hearing journey began with single sided deafness in my early thirties. I began using a hearing aid in 1992. My hearing progressively declined on the right side until I had little hearing left. In 2008, I lost the hearing on my left side overnight becoming profoundly deaf. This total hearing loss was sudden and catastrophic for me.  I couldn’t communicate, use the phone, understand music, practice yoga, all things that made life enjoyable, and I was struggling to keep my job as a college professor. When I learned about cochlear implants, I took everything about them on faith. There were no mentors available to talk with and most of the information came from the audiologist, who was wonderful. I received my first Cochlear™ implant in 2009, and my second one in 2017 on my other side. It was wonderful to hear sounds again. Speech took a bit longer, but it was a miracle to hear again.

As a volunteer mentor I help people learning about cochlear implants by sharing my experience, explaining what to expect, and sharing the challenges and strategies that I used to overcome the learning curve.

My piece of advice to new recipients is to practice, practice, practice. It gets better over time and every time you use the sound processor your brain is working. When you start to get tired, take a break 15-30 minutes then go back to the sound processor. Audio books are a good way to practice speech recognition and use the online tools, connect with a mentor and ask questions.

Baha® 5 SuperPower System – Connect, Bilateral

I enjoy traveling and being a Special Needs Daycare Teacher. The Baha® System brought me out of my shell.

A quick summary about Amanda D.

• I had hearing aids in both ears by the time I was 8 years old.
• I received my first Cochlear™ Baha® System in 2013.
• I’m able to hear the children that I work with as a Special Needs Daycare teacher.

I wore hearing aids from the time I was 8 years old until I was in college. When I got my first hearing aid, I remember sitting in the hospital waiting area and telling my mom that I can hear the phone ringing and the elevator, it seemed like it was too much, and I wanted it out of my ear. Eventually I got used to my hearing aid and got a second one on my other ear. I was in college when my left ear stopped benefiting from hearing aids. I received my first Baha® in 2013 and my second in 2017 on the other ear.

Life with my Baha 5 SuperPower Sound Processors is wonderful. I love traveling to see my friends. I love going to the Cochlear Celebration to meet up and visit with my Cochlear family. My Baha System helps me carry out my duties as a Special Needs Daycare Teacher, because I’m able to hear the children that I work with and, more often than not, I can hear them the first time without having them repeat themselves. The Baha System brought me out of my shell.

I love mentoring people that need more information about the Baha System. My advice to them is, “don’t wait to get it!”

Nucleus® 7 System – Bimodal

I’m retired and I love that I can hear my grandchildren and that it’s easy to converse with family and friends.

A quick summary about Marty G.

• I was in my mid thirties when I learned I had a mild hearing loss in both ears.
• In 2011, I lost all hearing in my right ear.
• I enjoy walking on trails and attending Classic Fit classes.

I was in my mid thirties when I learned I had a mild hearing loss in both ears. It was recommended that I wear hearing aids. With time, my hearing loss progressed in both ears. Then, in 2011, I lost all hearing in my right ear suddenly as I was preparing to return to work as a high school librarian. It was vital that I be able to communicate and understand fellow teachers, students, and, of course, my family. I saw more than one ENT as I researched solutions for my hearing loss. A cochlear implant was recommended by one of the ENTs. I received my Cochlear™ implant in 2012. When my sound processor was activated, I could hear at that very first appointment with my audiologist but was somewhat overwhelmed when I went home and heard lots of good sounds but also very loud annoying sounds. I knew from that first day, that I would focus on hearing again and I became my own cheerleader. Within 3 months I was hearing so much better that my book club friends and family commented on it.

My top tips for new recipients are to keep a journal right after activation, noting new enjoyable sounds but also recording any issues or questions you might have. Prioritize your questions or concerns before your next appointment with your audiologist. I emphasize the 3 P’s, Patience, Practice, and Persistence as good strategies to make the most out of your hearing.

Nucleus® 7 System, Bilateral

I’m an Army Veteran in my late sixties. I enjoy walking, bike riding, hiking nature trails and helping others.

A quick summary about Stephen K.

• I noticed my hearing loss in my 40s and wore hearing aids until 2007.
• I received my first Cochlear™ Implant in 2007 in my right ear and my second implant in 2009 on the other ear.
• After I received my implants I started hearing sounds that I hadn’t heard in years. Each sound that came back was a WOW moment.

I’m Stephen, an Army veteran in my late sixties. I entered the Army in 1970 and worked with an artillery unit. Many of my assignments exposed me to varying degrees of noise. I noticed my hearing loss in my 40s. My wife started asking why I didn’t answer the doorbell for our apartment. It was because I did not hear it! We both knew that something was wrong. I had my hearing tested, and we found out I had a moderate to severe hearing loss in both ears. I was fitted with hearing aids. Years later, in 2007, I was struggling to communicate even with the best efforts of my audiologist. I became withdrawn and frustrated.

That year, I received a Cochlear™ Implant in my right ear and was activated with wonderful results. I started hearing sounds again that I had not heard in years. Each sound that came back was a WOW moment, I treasure each one. Still hearing those sounds is a wonderful feeling. A year and a half later, I received another Cochlear Implant on my other ear.

My biggest satisfaction as a mentor is providing information that helps answer questions for people considering Cochlear implants. One of the rewards of mentoring others is being able to expand my understanding and reinforcing my knowledge. I’ve supported many adults with hearing loss, many of whom are veterans and enrolled in the VA health care system. I enjoy helping others. If I can help you along your hearing journey, please feel free to contact me.

Top advice for mentees:

• Be patient when going through your hearing journey. Things take a while to sort out.
• Maintain good communication with your audiologist. He or she will be working with you for years and wants you to have the best possible outcome.

Patrick was born deaf and implanted at age 1.  He loves Legos and Star Wars.  He enjoys baseball, karate, and outdoor activities such as hiking, camping and riding his bike.   He is an avid reader (his reading level is many grades above average!).  He listens to music daily and loves traveling.  We love talking to other families about their hearing journeys!

Parent – Nucleus® 7, Bilateral | Sensorineural Hearing Loss

My daughter graduated with her Master’s degree just one year after finishing her Bachelor’s degree.

A quick summary about Iraida W.

• My daughter lost all her hearing when she was 4 ½ years old.
• She graduated with her Master’s degree only a year after finishing her Bachelor’s.
• She’s an intelligent and driven young lady looking forward to helping others.

My name is Iraida and my daughter, Olivia, became a Cochlear recipient when she was 5 years old. When she lost her hearing suddenly, it shot our whole world down. As soon as we learned she had hearing loss, we researched and spoke with the hospital to learn more. As a family, we knew we would go forward with the cochlear implant. I worried that she wouldn’t learn to listen and talk, but I was so wrong. When we first saw Olivia responding to voices and sounds, we were elated. No words could describe our joy. Watching her interact with her twin and respond to questions was amazing. Now, Olivia is a young lady and she graduated with her Master’s degree only a year after finishing her Bachelor’s. She’s happy and looking forward to working and helping others on their hearing journeys.

The three things I told myself as my family and I embarked on this adventure with Olivia is to:

• Be her voice until she finds her own.
• Allow yourself to feel some kinda way… but only for A BIT!
• Never give up. Giving up is just not an option.

Our journey has gotten better and better with time. I share our family’s story in hopes that it will help parents considering a cochlear implant for the hearing loss of their children.

My hearing loss was sudden. I heard what seemed like a pop in my right ear and then it felt like it had water in it. This is how my hearing journey began. I visited my primary care physician, then I was referred to an ENT. After trying different types of treatment I was told that my hearing loss was permanent. I tried out several devices and chose Baha because it gave me the clearest sound. I had some fears about how others would perceive me but none of my fears came true. Please feel free to connect with me if you have questions.