Paul Nejelski

• Progressive hearing loss since age 30

• Meniere's syndrome

• Implanted at age 64

The following story is one person's experience with a cochlear implant. Your experience may be very different. Success with a cochlear implant is influenced by many factors including how long a person has had hearing loss, the age a person receives an implant, medical and anatomical factors and more. Please consult your cochlear implant professional and/or the Bionic Ear Association with questions.

Meniere's syndrome began in 1968 when I was 30 years old and by 1974 my left ear was completely deaf. My right ear began a rapidly progressive hearing loss in 1997, and I received and still use a hearing aid in the right ear. Thanks to the implant, I have my best hearing in the left ear and the right ear still functions some. Without the two devices, I am completely deaf.

Hearing loss is only part of Meniere's syndrome - the worst effects are sudden and extreme loss of balance, pain and nausea.For hours, I could not get out of bed after an attack.

Thanks to (1) medication from my doctors at Johns Hopkins AND (2) the Advanced Bionics implant, these attacks have gone from almost daily to 1 or 2 a month and they are much milder. So my life has been restored in more ways than one.All this after two top specialists in Washington had said in 1997 nothing could be done -- not even a hearing aid.

I recently received the new Harmony 120 software upgrade after 5 years of using my original processor. The Harmony 120 is like a beautiful color movie versus a poor quality black and white version. For example, in listening to a string
quartet, each instrument now stood out clearly. I could tell with my eyes closed if the cello was being played with the bow, plucked or strummed, while before I could barely follow the music.

For all types of music (classical, opera, jazz, rock and pop) and instruments, the sound is clearer, warmer, richer and more well rounded -- a real pleasure to experience. I often feel that I can appreciate a concert as well as anyone there.

For the first time I can directly link my iPod to my implant without the poor sound and bother of head phones or an external speaker. Also, I am now pleasantly aware of the music sound track to movies. Conversations, lectures and plays are easier to follow. And the volume control makes parties and church services much more fun. It's a whole new world!

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