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Destiny is a 10-year-old Baha recipient and I’m her proud parent. She lost the hearing in her left ear when she was 3 ½ years old due to an ear infection. She received her implant in August of 2014. She’s a very active girl that enjoys ballet. Nothing stops her. We’re grateful that she can be an example to other kids, and we love the way that she describes her Baha as her “Super Power.”

I am the spouse of a bilateral Cochlear implant recipient. Since this technology has helped my husband to communicate successfully in quiet and noisy settings, and on the phone, I’m excited to share our journey with other families! In addition, speech and hearing has been my profession, so 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!

My name is Sue and I’m a bilateral recipient.  My hearing loss is a direct result of a childhood illness.  My hearing loss was gradual resulting in double hearing aids by the time I was in my 40’s.   Hearing and understanding was very difficult and I avoided social activities.  When I learned about Cochlear I was at 50% hearing and going downhill.  My two surgeries were about a year apart.  Hearing in stereo is wonderful!  I’ve discovered that the world is a very noisy place.  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.  My leisure activities include reading, walking, camping, travel, volunteer work and trying new activities whenever possible.  For me every day is a hearing adventure.

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!

I had mild hearing issues as a child. Years later, I had a beautiful baby girl with bilateral hearing loss. Because of her experiences, I began to learn more about hearing loss and wondered if it was too late for me to improve my own hearing. I was tested and learned that my hearing had deteriorated to a severe level. In February of 2014 I had surgery to install an abutment and then was fitted in April of that year with the new Baha 5. As I walked out of the office that day, I could hear the bells that came from a downtown church. I was so amazed!

I love that I can control my Baha with my iPhone®. Three clicks of the home button and I can access controls for volume, streaming and live speak. I’ve joined the Hearing Loss Association of America, and work as a volunteer for Cochlear. I have met so many people with similar experiences, making me feel that I am not alone.

Baha 5 Smart App works together with all Cochlear Baha 5 sound processors with FW 5.4.4.3 or later. It is available on iPhone, iPad and iPod touch running iOS 8.1 or later. For detailed compatibility visit www.Cochlear.com/US.

Apple, the Apple logo, iPhone®, and iPod touch are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc.

I’m Stephen, a 67 year old military veteran. 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 and visited an audiologist to find I had mild to moderately severe hearing loss in both ears. I received my 1st pair of hearing aids at that time, but, by 2007 I was struggling to communicate even with the best efforts of my audiologist. I became withdrawn and frustrated. I received my cochlear implant and was activated with wonderful results. A year and a half later, I received a 2nd cochlear implant. 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.

Hello!  My name is Sophia and my son Helio was born with bilateral Microtia Atresia. He uses the Baha Connect system.  He had the right side abutment surgery at age 7 and the left side abutment surgery at age 8.  If you ask him to describe the difference the Baha Connect System made, he says it is a big difference.  He hears more clearly and can hear the rain and birds chirping.  Helio continues to do well academically and socially.  His hobbies include playing video games, soccer, basketball, baseball, football, and his favorite sport is go karting.  We encourage him to participate in extracurricular activities and to enjoy life.  Helio is a brave individual and is learning that he can do anything he wants and more.  Helio’s mode of communication is oral and utilizes the mini-microphone in the classroom, when listening to music, and when playing video games on a hand-held device.  He is responsible for keeping all his equipment together and extra batteries on hand.  We look forward to helping you find what works for you and your family!

In 2005 my baby, MaKayla, was born. A routine screening uncovered that she had hearing loss. Her hearing loss progressed and by the time she was 4, she had lost all hearing. We decided to move forward with getting her a cochlear implant. When she was activated, her journey into a hearing world took off. A year later she received her 2nd cochlear implant and every day brought a new hearing experience. Today, Makayla is a determined 12 year old, a stand-out student, and an avid basketball player. We spend many evenings talking about her dreams for the future. It appears nothing can stop her.

My name is Iraida, and I am a 45 year-old bilateral cochlear implant recipient. As a child, recurrent ear infections and allergies affected my hearing, and I was fitted with hearing aids. When I moved to the US, I struggled to understand the English language much more than my native Spanish. My audiologist then told me about the benefits of cochlear implants. Since receiving both cochlear implants, I haven’t had to request closed-captioned services at my job. It’s really a wonderful feeling to be able to interject with feedback or questions in meetings. My hobbies are walking my dog, playing brain games, and trying foods from different countries.

Hey, I’m a 22-year-old bilateral cochlear implant recipient. I suddenly lost my hearing at the age of 18, five days before starting college (the deafness was the result of a rare autoimmune disease). Immediately, I knew that I wanted a cochlear implant. I received my first implant a month after losing my hearing, in October of 2013. By the following fall, I knew I wanted another implant, which I received in June of 2015. I am a senior at Western Michigan University, studying English literature, world literature, and creative writing. I am editor in chief of the undergraduate literary journal, I work as a teacher’s assistant, as a writing center consultant at the university, and as a writing tutor for middle school and high school students—all of this is made possible through my CIs. You can usually find me behind a book or a camera, as I spend most of my free time working as a photographer. I enjoy rock climbing, mountain biking, kayaking, hiking, adventuring, and world-traveling.

My name is Aaron and I’m a Baha recipient. I was 37 years when I lost my hearing overnight in one ear. I couldn’t identify who was talking or where sound was coming from. I was frustrated and I withdrew from the people closest to me. After researching and speaking with my audiologist, I learned about the Baha® 5 SuperPower and we felt that this was what I needed. I moved forward with getting the implantation and I love having 360 degrees of sound again. I enjoy the outdoors, hunting, and going to sporting events.

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.