Judy Wilson

Written July 2008

In 1993 I began to have difficulty using the telephone with my left ear. Visits to the doctor and two MRIs left me with the diagnosis of 'idiopathic sensorineural hearing loss'. Though I had some adjustments to make, I managed to get along with just the right ear. But in 1998 that ear went the way of the left and I was functionally deaf.

It sometimes seemed that the level of hearing assistance technology had progressed to smaller and smaller hearing aids – and that was it. But Internet research led to the discovery of cochlear implants and the chance that I might be a hearing person again. My insurer was totally supportive, and on October 16, 2000 I was implanted with an Advanced Bionics C1.

Almost immediately after my November activation I was able to hear. My "new" ear meant (almost) back to life as it used to be - conversing with friends and family in small groups, returning to volunteer activities. Music was something that still was not coming through to me. As much as I love music, the connection with my world was more important.

Friends with later generation Advanced Bionic implants seemed to do much better than I. (I was having "Implant Envy".) At a Bionic Ear Association volunteer activity, I learned that my insurer's Northern California branch had begun doing bilateral implants. AB staff encouraged me to give a bilateral request a try.  Worst case would be a negative answer, and best case... well, that was almost unimaginable. A letter to my insurer with cc's to my surgeon and audiologist resulted in a phone call from my surgeon saying he would do the surgery. Amazement! Joy!

My surgery, implantation of Advanced Bionics' HiRes 90K, was July 2007, with hookup just two weeks later. An ear that had no sound for 9 years was alive again!  I couldn't understand a word, but the rush of sound at activation was amazing. It was sound in 3D.

Weeks went by and I began to understand speech and music sounded better. As of this writing, one year later, I:

Heard the names of two grandsons read at their high school graduations (one in an auditorium, one on a football field.)

Went to celebratory dinners for both of those boys in noisy restaurants and was a real part of the conversation. I could actually laugh with others and not have to wait for an explanation.

Have more fun at my volunteer activities! It is so much easier to chat while we work. I had previously looked for solitary tasks.

Am enjoying music again. I am still not ready for an audience, but I play my guitar when no one else is home. And it sounds good!

This wonderful technology gives us so much. For those who are late deafened, it is a life renewed. I can't even begin to imagine the life changes of those who have never heard.

I am so grateful for this wonder and give thanks to my health care providers and to my friends at Advanced Bionics!