Connect with a mentor

I have been a volunteer with Cochlear America for 11 years.  My husband Shane has bilateral cochlear implants.  He was profoundly deaf (from an illness as a baby) when we met online in 2001.  In 2006 he made the decision to get both ears implanted at the same time because hearing aids did not help him anymore.  It changed our lives!  He worked very hard practicing with music, YouTube videos, Ted talks and books on tape; he went from 0% word and sentence recognition to 95% in just three months.  Because of his influence, my mother Mary (who grew up with single-sided deafness from a childhood illness) decided to get a Baha in 2010 and loves it.  She was able to hear in stereo for the first time in years and tell which direction sound was coming from.  She enjoys the iPhone® compatibility and Bluetooth® streaming for phone and videos as well.

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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.

I am a full-time Registered Nurse and a full-time writer. I write fiction, non-fiction, and young reader books. I’m currently working on my ninth book. Because of my cochlear implants, I’m able to host writing workshops and talk about finding the creative spark. My husband and I live in Hawaii. We enjoy keeping active with hiking and exploring the beautiful island.

After months of exhausting tinnitus and continuing hearing loss on my left side I met with an Ear, Nose and Throat Doctor. The MRI indicated that I had an acoustic neuroma; this was something I had never heard of and it sounded frightening. After various hearing and balance tests I learned that my options were to observe the tumor over a period of time, do radiotherapy, or surgery.  I decided to go with the surgery to remove the acoustic neuroma. Because total left side hearing loss after surgery was likely, we discussed the benefits of a Baha.

I researched and decided on the Baha 5 Sound processor. I was implanted and after some time my long-anticipated “hook up” took place, I was amazed with the technology.  I immediately adapted to new sounds! I can hear water trickle down the drain while doing dishes.  My Baha is my headphone for music played off my iPhone®. And telephone calls are so much easier now.

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I was born with no hearing problems.  At age 18 months I had a high fever that damaged the hearing in both ears and I wore bilateral hearing aids from ages 3-30.  I realized at age 30 I was not getting any benefit from hearing aids and started researching cochlear implants.  I went to support group meetings and talked to people with similar hearing loss.  I noticed right away that those with Cochlear brand implants heard better and reported more satisfaction than those with AB or Med-El.  Also, I am an engineer and have worked on microchips for over 20 years.  I saw the microchip superior design and its backwards compatibility and made the decision to get Cochlear bilateral implants simultaneously in March 2006.  I did a lot of auditory rehab using iTunes® and YouTube, listening to music, books on tape, and Ted talks.  I went from 0% to 98% word and sentence recognition in three months.  This enabled me to talk on the phone at work and led to a subsequent promotion.  I have been through several upgrades (Freedom to N5 then to N6, working on N7 upgrade now) and have volunteered with Cochlear for over 11 years.  I am very grateful for those that supported me when I was researching CI’s and at support group meetings after surgery.  I am happy to pay it forward and share my journey with others.  I enjoy music, motorcycling, building and flying drones, cars, and activities with my family.

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 am a retired CPA/CFO.  I enjoy tennis, running, reading and spending time with my grandchildren.  My hearing problems started with sudden hearing loss.  I was diagnosed with Meniere’s disease and since that time have struggled with vertigo and hearing loss.  In 2012 I received a cochlear implant (Nucleus 5) and it was an amazing change.  This April I was eligible to upgrade and now have a Kanso that I use with a compatible ReSound hearing aid.

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.

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!

Although the exact cause of my hearing loss is unknown, after a severe viral infection I experienced a steep, progressive deterioration, especially in the high frequencies. Many years and many hearing aids later, I struggled to understand speech and received the L24 Hybrid implant. To say my life has changed would be a massive understatement! I can now hear my daughter clearly, freely talk on the phone, enjoy restaurants, and pursue work projects again. I got my life back.

1. 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 name is Chrissy and I have a 13 year old son named Alex has worn a Baha Attract for over 3 years. He was diagnosed at two years-old with a cholesteatoma that caused severe damage to his hearing. Alex was implanted at 9 years old with his Baha Attract and has done very well. He plays the bassoon for his school Wind Ensemble and is very active in robotics. He is a strong, proud kid that embraced his situation and makes the very best of it. We are both here to help with questions on your family’s journey to becoming a Baha user.

My hearing loss journey began in January 2017, when I woke up without the ability to hear on the right side. I was diagnosed with single-sided sensorineural hearing loss, likely caused by a virus that also affected the vestibular system. I tested a Cochlear Baha 5 with my audiologist and had great results. In May 2017, I had my Cochlear Baha 5 connect system implanted and in June I was activated with the Baha 5 processor. I’m blessed to have received this technology, as I was able to return to work full-time. I’m a business owner, wife, and mother of two to Victoria, 26 and Noah, 17. I still work my full-time job managing a title company, but I have more time to focus on my new passion, sharing what Cochlear has to offer. I am glad that I took a leap of faith and chose the Cochlear Baha 5 as my hearing loss solution.

For several years I had been wearing bilateral in-the-ear hearing aids, and I thought I was hearing pretty well. Eventually, my family pointed out I was not hearing everything being said, and I was favoring my right ear. My son, an otolaryngologist, read my latest audiogram and told me that I should seriously consider a cochlear implant. I realized that this was a major step to getting my hearing loss treated, but knew I had to do something. My surgeon took the time to explain the procedure to me in detail, was so encouraging and exuded such confidence that I had no hesitation about going forward with the Cochlear Implant. After a successful unilateral left ear cochlear implant surgery, I healed for one month, and then my audiologist activated my sound processor. Shortly after that I was fitted with a ReSound Enzo™ BTE hearing aid on my other ear. Between my cochlear implant audiologist’s expert mappings, processor adjustments and my hearing aid audiologist’s steadfast determination to maximize the ReSound hearing aid, I have been able to achieve my goal of dramatically improved hearing with the bimodal solution. It is a wonderful feeling not to have to struggle to hear.

I am a bimodal Cochlear recipient with a Nucleus 7 sound processor in one ear. I am upgrading to ReSound hearing aid and can hardly wait for all the benefits. I enjoy book clubs, Tai Chi, volunteering in the local library, traveling with family and even better, talks and singing with my young grandson.

I became single sided deaf in 1971, and wore hearing aids for 20 years before learning about the Baha in 2005. The sound, clarity, and volume was great. I currently wear the Baha 5. My hobbies are our grandsons, woodworking, traveling, and old time radio detective programs.

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!”

I am a bilateral Nucleus 6 recipient.  I use an acoustic component (Hybrid Hearing) on one of my cochlear implants.  I began to progressively lose my hearing at 22 due to Meniere’s disease, and became profoundly deaf in both ears by 6 years later. After working with my audiologist and ear surgeon, I gained the support and confidence to have my first cochlear implant surgery.  About a year later I had my second surgery and absolutely love hearing in stereo!  I can relax and enjoy all my activities and interests, knowing that I can hear well every day.  As a teacher, I have gained confidence while teaching and also insight into the journey that my students’ families must navigate for themselves.  In my spare time I enjoy cooking, dancing, traveling and exploring new places, as well as connecting with friends and family.

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.