Connect with a mentor

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.

I was diagnosed with Meniere’s in 1993 and struggled with hearing loss for over 12 years. Even with hearing aids I could no longer hear the TV, hear people talking that were standing next to me and I struggled at work. I love my implant. I can’t even feel it on my head! I feel like a kid on Christmas morning every day when I go to get my processor and put it on.   The technology is unbelievable and I can’t wait to see what the future advances will be in cochlear implants.

My cochlear implant has made it possible for me to continue working as a registered dietician. When I am not working I enjoy gardening, growing flowers, weight training classes, yoga, and attending theater.   I would like others to have the opportunity to hear again and maintain the quality of their lives.

I enjoy music, hiking, camping, geocaching, gardening, and wine making.  I was implanted in 2008 and 2009 with cochlear implants. I have participated in several bilateral bimodal research studies including the FDA Nucleus® 6 Hybrid™ clinical trials. Cochlear implant technology has allowed me to re-engage in life, let me know what questions I can answer for you.

1. The Acoustic Component should only be used when behavioral audiometric thresholds can be obtained and the recipient can provide feedback regarding sound quality. The Hybrid L24 Implant is approved in the US for adults ages 18 and older.

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.

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.

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® 6 & Hybrid™ Hearing¹, Bilateral | Meniere’s Disease

I enjoy taking dance lessons and language classes. Having Cochlear™ Implants makes this possible.

A quick summary about Michelle F.

• I was diagnosed with hearing loss when I was 22 years old.
• I’m a teacher of the deaf working in a public school. I teach children how to listen and talk.
• In my spare time I enjoy cooking, dancing, traveling and exploring new places.

I was 22 when I was diagnosed with hearing loss. I had the feeling that my left ear was blocked and went in for a hearing test. It started as a mild unilateral hearing loss but over the course of five years, it progressively got worse in both ears until it became severe to profound hearing loss. I was frustrated because I knew that I was losing hearing. My frustrations came more from my lack of speech understanding than from losing access to other sounds. When I began hearing sounds with my first Cochlear™ Implant, my family was very happy and supportive. I shared great everyday sounds I was hearing again with my mom. We both shared in the excitement of this new hearing journey!

My biggest pleasure as a mentor is that I’m able to help other people on their own hearing journeys by sharing my experience and answering questions. My best advice is to trust in the fact that the Cochlear implant opens the doors to amazing opportunities. Don’t wait, as I waited 4 years to get my first implant and I wish I had done it sooner! I enjoy taking dance lessons and I’m also taking language classes, as learning new languages has always interested me and having the Cochlear implants makes this possible.

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

Nucleus® 6 System, Bilateral

I’ve had Cochlear™ implants for thirty years, ten years bilateral. I love going to concerts and listening to music.

A quick summary about Margo K.

• My hearing challenges began when I was two years old after a car accident.
• I received my first Cochlear™ implant in 1989 and have enjoyed seven sound processor upgrades since then!
• When I began to hear again, my twelve-year-old son told me, ““Now I can tell you anything Mom”.

I’m Margo. My hearing challenges began when I was two years old after a car accident. I’d lost all hearing in my left ear and part of my hearing in my right ear. When I was 21 I received my first hearing aid for my right ear. At 25 a virus took what remained of my hearing. I was married with a one-year old son and suddenly my world became silent. It was traumatic. My biggest concern was whether I would be able to be a good mom to our son and wife to my husband.  Our family adapted and grew. Some of my biggest challenges were constant fatigue due to the effort it took to communicate. In 1989, I received my first Cochlear™ implant (CI).  My children were 5, 7, 9, and 12, and they became my teachers helping me learn to identify sounds. As I began to understand what was being said, my family and friends were very happy. I no longer struggled to communicate.  I remember my 12-year-old son telling me “Now I can tell you anything Mom”.

In 2008, I received a Cochlear implant in my other ear, which had lived in silence for 54 years. My world of sound became richer and more vibrant compared to having only one CI ear. I was thrilled as it meant the new CI ear had the potential to learn to hear. The hearing journey took a bit longer for my second ear and required more effort and perseverance but, it was well worth the effort.

The biggest pieces of advice I like to give people with hearing loss in those early months after getting their CIs are the P words. Patience, practice, perseverance and a positive attitude are key in getting the most out of your Cochlear implants.

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.

Parent – Baha® 5 Attract, Unilateral | Single-sided cholesteatoma

My son, Alex, plays in his school’s performing arts music program.

A quick summary about Chrissy F.

• My son plays bassoon, trombone and baritone in his school’s music program.
• He’s enrolled in advanced classes and thriving!
• He’s passionate about pursuing a future in music.

My name is Chrissy, and my son, Alex, wears a Baha® 5 Attract System. When he was two, we learned that he had a unilateral cholesteatoma that caused severe damage to his hearing. When he was 9 years old, he tried a Baha demo in the Audiologist’s office and wanted it immediately. We moved forward with the Baha System shortly after that, and he has done very well with it. Today, Alex is enrolled in all advanced classes and active in his school marching band. He is passionate about a future in music and hopes to join a college with a music program. He is a strong, proud kid that embraces his situation and makes the very best of it. My advice to parents with children with hearing loss is to keep a positive attitude and teach your child to know that they are special and unique. If you do these things, they will thrive. Alex and I are both here to help with questions on your family’s hearing journey.

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.

Parent – Nucleus® 7 System, Bilateral | Sensorineural hearing loss

My daughter, MaKayla, enjoys extracurricular activities and sports. She’s in mainstream classes.

A quick summary about Angel V.

• My daughter began wearing hearing aids at two months old.
• By age 4 she had lost all her hearing.
• It’s important to keep up the work to better hearing. It’s all worth it in the end!

My daughter, Makayla, was diagnosed with hearing loss through a routine screening. I was upset, scared, and worried. My biggest concern was that my daughter would never hear me say “I love you”. I didn’t know any other individuals living with hearing implants. Her hearing continued to decline over the course of four years, and she was implanted just before her fifth birthday. After her sound processor was activated, she began to respond to sounds and voices and my family and I were excited. Each day when she heard a new sound she would ask us to identify what she was hearing.  I became increasingly comforted by these experiences.

As a mentor it is so rewarding to give back to others at a time when they need reassurance most.

A piece of advice I have for people that are beginning their hearing journeys is to remember that they are not alone.