Pittsburgh, PA
Mother of 2
Freelance Journalist
Genetic Hearing Loss

Implanted Age: Young Adult
Hearing Loss: Since Birth
Implanted: Left Ear

After growing up profoundly deaf and then becoming a mother, my life was enhanced when I got my implant.

• My favorite thing about my AB cochlear implant is: the rechargeable battery.
• With my AB cochlear implant, I can: hear high frequency sounds that I couldn't hear before.
• My favorite sound is: my children's laughter.
• I chose AB because: of the technology.
• I am a BEA Mentor because: I remember what it was like deciding whether to get an implant. It's an overwhelming process and can be made easier when talking to people who have been through it.
• I can help cochlear implant candidates by: being candid about my experiences.
• About Me: I was born profoundly deaf and raised to lipread and speak. I wore hearing aids my whole life until I got my implant a few years ago. Now I’m a hybrid: I wear a digital HA and a CI. I have a Masters in Journalism from UC Berkeley and like to educate others about people with disabilities.

Colorado
Professional
Uses the Phone 50-70% of the Workday

Implanted Age: Middle-Aged Adult
Hearing Loss: Slowly Progressive
Implanted: Both Ears

As a child, I contracted Rubella and a high fever. My hearing loss was discovered later at the age of 10 years and has since progressed.

• My favorite thing about my AB cochlear implant is: restoring my communication abilities, rediscovering the joy of music and knowing that there is reserved, untapped capacity in the Advanced Bionics CI.
• With my AB cochlear implant, I can: attend meetings, conferences and comfortably communicate on the phone 50-70% of the work day.
• My favorite sound is: the sound of music while driving through the Rocky Mountains.
• I chose AB because: AB exceeded my expectations in terms of support, delivering the inherent benefits of effective communication and having the foresight to consider better hearing ahead for implanted recipients.
• I am a BEA Mentor because: I passionately enjoy sharing my experiences about the improvement in hearing and the quality of life.
• I can help cochlear implant candidates by: sharing common pains, discussing options and answering questions about the technology and journey. Most importantly...exploring the benefits of communicating effectively again. Cochlear implants may be an option for reversing the downward spiral of hearing loss.
• About Me: As a Business Leader and C.I. Advocate, I enjoy the rewards of progressive hearing. The Advanced Bionics CI results in better hearing now and ahead.
  

Charlotte, NC
Avid Rock Climber
T-Mic Lover

Implanted Age: Middle-Aged Adult
Hearing Loss: Slowly Progressive
Implanted: Both Ears

With cochlear implant, I can live an active lifestyle with confidence and joy.

• My favorite thing about my AB cochlear implant is: Being able to hear again and SO much better than I have ever experienced!! Specifically, I love how easy it is to use the T-Mic with my cell phone or iPod. But I also have the flexibility to hook up to the cell phone or iPod on the body worn processor.
• With my AB cochlear implant, I can: do everything and anything that anyone else can with confidence!!
• My favorite sound is: There are so many to list! The sounds of friends and family laughing, birds singing, the water “gurgling” in a creek, rain drops on my roof, cats purring and soon - my baby will be here and I'll hear her cry and her first words…
• I chose AB because: The active lifestyle I live, running, soccer, rock climbing, mountain biking, and just being clumsy, the internal implant was better suited for me over the other makers.
• I am a BEA Mentor because: When I lost the remainder of my hearing in 2004 after wearing hearing aids, I really wanted to hear again, however, I was dead set against someone “drilling in my head.” I then met with a couple “friends of friends” who also had implants in Charlotte, NC. One had just completed a marathon and the other I met after a U2 concert. I was envious that they could hear so well. They were nice enough to share their experience which convinced me to go ahead with the surgery. Now, I wish I had done this years ago… There were so many things I had not realized: a cat purring actually makes noise like a little well-tuned engine, or what I thought was a quiet backyard full of song birds turns out to be the noisiest wonderful sounding backyards on the block. These are sounds I could have enjoyed earlier if I had realized what a positive experience receiving cochlear implants could be. Now, I want to be that person who can help possible cochlear recipients whether they are adults, parents of children or kids, realize that receiving a cochlear implant can be such an “ear opening” experience that one should not miss it.
• I can help cochlear implant candidates by: Been there, experienced that, so I DO understand the fear, the anxiety, the questions, the process of having to “learn” to hear again and the JOY of it all in the long run, so I CAN relate and understand CI candidates!!
• About Me: Growing up in a hearing world, when I lost the remainder of my hearing in a new location, new job, no family around or friends yet, I was spooked. Receiving cochlear implants was a Christmas present for life, as I now continue my active lifestyle with confidence and joy, but hear so much better.
  

New Westminster, BC
Genetic Hearing Loss
Mainstream/Higher Education
Young Professional

Implanted Age: Young Adult
Hearing Loss: Since Birth
Implanted: Right Ear

My success with the cochlear implant has allowed me to start my own business and have a very successful career. I can even talk on the phone at busy tradeshows!

• My favorite thing about my AB cochlear implant is: that it gives me the ability to communicate with everyone I encounter in daily life.
• With my AB cochlear implant, I can: Talk on a cordless phone on the trade floor! My cochlear implant has opened many opportunities
• My favorite sound is: listening to music!
• I chose AB because: I liked their potential for future upgrades
• I am a BEA Mentor because: the freedom and independency I gained from being able to communicate with my family, friends, and the professional world gives me the desire to help other people experience that as well.
• I can help cochlear implant candidates by: 
being an example of what can be achieved, that they can overcome their fears and live a better life.
• About Me: Born with bilateral profound hearing loss, I grew up refusing to accept "no" for an answer. I achieved the highest rank possible with numerous awards in the Royal Canadian Air Cadets and graduated from college. After college, I received my cochlear implant. My success with the cochlear implant allowed me to start up my own company and have a successful career. Active in the Canadian Hard of Hearing Association and with the BEA, I am dedicated to helping others.
  

Atlanta, GA
College Student
Loves Music on Her iPod
Learned to Speak with Auditory-Verbal Therapy

Implanted Age: Adolescent/Teen
Hearing Loss: Since Birth
Implanted: Right Ear

I hear so much more than I did with my hearing aids! Now that I'm in college, I love being able to call my mom back home.

• My favorite thing about my AB cochlear implant is: Hearing things I’ve never heard with just hearing aids - like my dogs licking themselves or water coming out of the sink faucet when I’m doing dishes. I also love being able to listen to music on my iPod.
• With my AB cochlear implant, I can: Be a normal teenager/young adult and enjoy my college experience with regular hearing peers. Now that I'm away at college, I can call my family and tell them all about my day and things going on in my life.
• My favorite sound is: Hearing my family and I talk and laugh and having a great time.
• I chose AB because: After watching my younger brother get the AB cochlear implant when he was 5, I realized how much better he could hear than me. Also, the service my family got from AB was amazing! They were always there for us when we needed them.
• I am a BEA Mentor because: I got the CI when I was a freshman in High School so I know what my life was before and after getting the implant. I would like to share my experiences with other young people from a teenager’s perspective.
• I can help cochlear implant candidates by: Sharing stories about my own experience as well as stories about my younger brother and grandfather, both of whom have cochlear implants. My brother was implanted at age 5, over ten years ago, and my grandfather was implanted at age 85 only two years ago!
• About Me: I was born profoundly deaf but wasn’t diagnosed until the age of two, which is when I immediately started wearing two hearing aids and going to Auditory Verbal Therapy. My hearing and discrimination got worse in 2005, which is when I got my cochlear implant. Now I wear the CI on my right ear and a hearing aid on my left. I'm now a college student majoring in Marketing and working part time in the Alumni Office as the receptionist.

Arizona
Retired Teacher and Reading Specialist
Leader in Local CI Group
Implanted for 8+ Years

Implanted Age: Middle-Aged Adult
Hearing Loss: Slowly Progressive
Implanted: Right Ear

My CI has enabled me to live fully once again!

• My favorite thing about my AB cochlear implant is: how easy it is to use! AutoSound requires me to make very few adjustments as I go through my day. The batteries last the whole day so I am never surprised by silence! I am able to upgrade without more surgery. The Harmony has made music beautiful and accessible once again.
• With my AB cochlear implant, I can: hear and function well in most situations.
• My favorite sound is: my grand-daughter laughing and birds singing.
• I chose AB because: the technology was and is the most advanced, customer service is outstanding, and the staff are committed and supportive.
• I am a BEA Mentor because: the CI has enabled me to live fully once again and I wish to share that opportunity with others who face the challenge of hearing loss. Talking about my CI is one of my favorite things to do!
• I can help cochlear implant candidates by: sharing my experience with deafness and the miracle of cochlear implants, hearing their stories, addressing their questions and concerns to the best of my ability, and walking the CI journey alongside them.
• About Me: As a long-time teacher who feared her career might be shortened due to progressive hearing loss, my CI allowed me to successfully continue teaching with ease and enjoyment. Since retirement my CI has enabled me to use my teaching experience as I offer presentations and discussions on numerous aspects of hearing loss and communication to various groups.
  

Kelseyville, CA
Mother of 11, 2 with CIs
Oral and ASL Experienced
Parent Advocate

Implanted Age: Young School Age
Hearing Loss: Since Birth
Implanted: Both Ears

Cochlear implants allow my daughters to keep up with their hearing siblings and find joy in daily life!

• My favorite thing about my child's AB cochlear implant is: They are simple to use, easy to maintain, and take the daily abuse of a high energy 6 year old! They are also quite streamlined offering a simplistic look that my daughter will feel comfortable with in the years to come.
• With the AB cochlear implant, my child can: Develop independence and self esteem at a level that tells you she is truly connected to this world on her terms and is only limited by her own imagination and inspiration.
• My child's favorite sound is: The la, la, la music CD…she appreciates the interactive songs at a level that drives her teenage sisters nuts!
• I chose AB because: We fit…the personal connections we instantly made with folks at the Bionic Ear Association made the decision easy for us…The BEA audiologist made me feel like there was nothing more important in her day than helping me plan my child’s cochlear implantation…that matters…and she is still right there for me …that type of commitment makes me feel Advanced Bionics will be there for my child long after I’m done being her cruise director…and they will give quality care to her all along the way…that is great peace of mind.
• I am a BEA Mentor because: I am daily inspired by my children and I hope to inspire others…It is a journey filled with winding detours…and if I can help simplify for one parent the journey…well then it is worth the time and energy I spend.
• I can help cochlear implant candidates by: Sharing daily details that simplify our child’s implant usage...and preserve the parents’ sanity! Implant candidacy processes can be so overwhelming…I hope to remind folks to take some time to enjoy the ride…it will be over soon, and the outcome…will be amazing!
• About Me: My name is Denice and I am mom to 11 daughters! Cochlear Implants allow my youngest Ali to keep up with her sisters, every waking moment…much to their dismay! And the same miraculous procedure has allowed my ASL using daughter Rachel to find joy in daily life at a whole new level!
  

Yorktown Heights, NY
Bilingual (Spanish)
Son in Mainstream School Setting

Implanted Age: Toddler/Preschooler
Hearing Loss: Since Birth
Implanted: Both Ears

My son, M.J., has bilateral cochlear implants and is mainstreamed in school!

• My favorite thing about my child's AB cochlear implant is: that it allows MJ to hear speech so well. He also loves music and dancing.
• With the AB cochlear implant, my child can: do anything!!
• My child's favorite sound is: M.J.'s favorite sound is MUSIC! He loves to dance and is currently in Hip Hop classes.
• I chose AB because: of the quality of the product. I also like the pediatric features. The software is innovative and focuses on what’s important.
• I am a BEA Mentor because: when M.J. was first diagnosed, the greatest thing for my husband and I was to talk to other parents of deaf children with CIs. It is so important to learn first hand how wonderful their lives will be. I want to do that for other people!
• I can help cochlear implant candidates by: discussing what worked for our son and how that helped him be mainstreamed a year early. I can discuss why we chose to get a second implant and the differences between them. I hope to help newly diagnosed parents understand that although they were just told their child is deaf, with cochlear implants their child CAN LEARN TO TALK. They will sound just as beautiful as the kid next door!
• About Me: My son, M.J., has bilateral cochlear implants and is mainstreamed in school!
  

Deland, FL
Self-Described "Techie"

Implanted Age: Older Adult
Hearing Loss: Slowly Progressive
Implanted: Both Ears

I did the technical research on CI’s and helped my wife to pick AB.

• My favorite thing about my family member's AB cochlear implant is: The ability to re-enter the world of intercommunication with others
• With the AB cochlear implant, my family member can: my wife can carry on conversations in noisy places without needing me to interpret for her. We can attend the symphony and enjoy it together. We can sit on the porch in the evening and enjoy the singing of the birds.
• My family member's favorite sound is: my wife can now hear the birds in the trees.
• I chose AB because: they were ahead of the pack in technology, giving us the hope for a successful implantation.
• I am a BEA Mentor because: I care about people and ache for those who are needing to make a choice about a CI.
• I can help cochlear implant candidates by: becoming their friend, dealing with them honestly, and walking with them thru their decision-making and rehabilitation.
• About Me: As the husband whose wife experienced late-adult-deafening I can relate to other husbands who are walking in that valley. Being technologically oriented, I spent years researching ALD’s striving to keep my wife in the hearing world. I did the technical research on CI’s and helped Sheila to pick AB. I am enthused about sharing her AB story.
  

Tucson, AZ
Bilingual (Spanish)
Mother, 2 Children with CIs
Music Lover

Implanted Age: Infant/Young Toddler
Hearing Loss: Since Birth
Implanted: Right Ear

Yo fui capaz de realizar mi suenio de ver crecer a mis dos hijos bilungues, ya que ellos hablan espanol e Ingles con total facilidad y fluidez. (I am able to pursue my dream of raising bilingual children as I watch my two sons speak Spanish and English with ease.)

• My favorite thing about my child's AB cochlear implant is: El coclear implante de AB tiene muchas condiciones que aprecio muchisimo, ellas son: Su tecnologia; es un aparato muy accesible para los ninios y sus componentes tanto internos como externos son uertes. (The technology, child friendly features, quality of hearing, robust internal and external components.)
• With the AB cochlear implant, my child can: Oir con facilidad en diferentes situaciones como ser en la escuela, casa, campo deportivo; estar integrado con el mundo audible y con sus compañeros; vivir, estar activo, y no perder ningun evento, actividad o ruido. (Hear with ease in varied settings (school, home, sport field); be integrated into the hearing world & with peers; live, be active, and not miss a daily event, activity or noise. )
• My child's favorite sound is: La musica (Music)
• I chose AB because: Yo elegi AB porque me senti comoda siendo parte de la compania y la confianza que senti al ver el compromiso que la empresa tiene hacia sus usuarios asi como por su continuo enfoque en actualizar la tecnologia a la altura de los constantes cambios del coclear implante. (I chose AB because I felt comfortable being a part of the company and I was confident in their commitment to the users and their continued focus on updating technology.)
• I am a BEA Mentor because: Yo soy un Mentor de AB porque me gusta comunicarme con otros padres y contarles acerca de mi historia y experiencia. Especialmente deseo que familias de habla hispana sepan que sus hijos pueden ser bilingues. A mi tambien me gusta trabajar con profesionales, a nivel local, estatal y nacional. (I am a BEA mentor because I enjoy reaching out to other parents and telling them my story. I especially want Spanish speaking families to know children can be bilingual. I also like to work with professionals, reach out on a local, state and national level.)
• I can help cochlear implant candidates by: Yo puedo ayudar a candidatos para implante de cochlear escuchando sus preocupaciones y preguntas y asistiendolos en esta empresa. (I can help cochlear implant candidates by listening to their challenges, concerns, and questions and support them in their journey. )
• About Me: Yo fui capaz de realizar mi suenio de ver crecer a mis dos hijos bilungues, ya que ellos hablan espanol e Ingles con total facilidad y fluidez. Yo visualizo las innumerables posibilidades que ellos tendran en el futuro gracias a que ellos tienen un coclear implante. (I am able to pursue my dream of raising bilingual children as I watch my two sons speak Spanish and English with ease. What visions I have of the endless doors of possibility they have ahead, thanks to their life with a CI. )
  

Maitland, FL
Cell Phone User
Golf and Music Lover

Implanted Age: Middle-aged Adult
Hearing Loss: Sudden
Implanted: Both

As a busy construction professional who plays golf and enjoys music, I find myself forgetting that I am hard of hearing when I have my implants on!

• My favorite thing about my AB cochlear implant is: I no longer feel disabled.
• With my AB cochlear implant, I can: Listen to music and do everything I did before I lost my hearing.
• My favorite sound is: Listening to the birds sing when I go outside.
• I chose AB because: A) After doing some research, I found that AB was the most technologically advanced and that the company philosophy was to continue to look for ways to improve the performance. B) The T-Mic allowed me to use a cell phone and hear sound in its most natural location. No longer would I have to "walk" along the back of a behind the ear processor to find the best point to hear on the phone. C) I was told AB was the easiest to program and that I would be "up and running" much faster than with either Cochlear or Med-El.
• I am a BEA Mentor because: I want to lead others down the path to great hearing.
• I can help cochlear implant candidates by: guiding them through the process from candidacy to surgery to rehabilitation.
• About Me: Middle-age adult with bilateral implantation. Married with two grown sons. Lost my hearing suddenly in my mid-30's. Implanted with AB in my right ear in my mid-40's and in my left in my early 50's. Construction Professional for the past 30 years. Play golf regularly and enjoy doing home improvement projects. Listen to music on the radio and Ipod, watch television without captions, attend movies, use a cell phone, etc. Find myself forgetting that I am hard of hearing when I have on my implants.
  

Shelbyville, TN
Mother of 5
Music Lover

Implanted Age: Young Adult
Hearing Loss: Sudden
Implanted: Both

I am now happily bilateral and enjoying sounds I never heard before...with five children and a busy social life, I never realized how many sounds the world has to offer!

• My favorite thing about my AB cochlear implant is: The T-Mic - I have used both the regular earhook and the T-Mic and the sound quality and clarity increases dramatically with the T-Mic.
• With my AB cochlear implant, I can: Talk on the phone, listen to the radio and enjoy music, but most importantly, I can carry on conversations easily and with very little stress.
• My favorite sound is: I love the sounds of birds twittering, the ocean roaring, coffee brewing in the pot and my children laughing.
• I chose AB because: I liked everything about it - the styling, the T-Mic, the technology. I am a huge music lover and hoped it would provide that - and it has!
• I am a BEA Mentor because: After I got my CI and realized how life-changing it was, I wanted to share that with the world. I know that the journey from candidacy to activation and beyond can be stressful and frightening and I want to do whatever I can to make the journey easier for others.
• I can help cochlear implant candidates by: Sharing my experiences with you. Every story is different, but just knowing that someone is behind you supporting you makes a huge difference.
• About Me: I lost the majority of my hearing at age four but didn't pursue a cochlear implant until age 35. I am now happily bilateral and enjoying sounds I had never heard before...with five children and a busy social life, I never realized how many sounds the world has to offer!
  

Flower Mound, TX
Mother of 2
Son with HL

Implanted Age: Middle-aged Adult
Hearing Loss: Slowly Progressive
Implanted: Left

Thanks to AB technology, I enjoy having conversations with my kids while I drive!

• My favorite thing about my AB cochlear implant is: with the body worn processor there is nothing on my ears. The technology is incredible!
• With my AB cochlear implant, I can: participate in the hearing world
• My favorite sound is: hearing the voices of family members
• I chose AB because: Advanced Bionics technology
• I am a BEA Mentor because: I like to help others learn about the technology and I love sharing with others how Advanced Bionics technology changed my life.
• I can help cochlear implant candidates by: sharing what I have learned from being an Advanced Bionics CI user for the past fifteen years.
• About Me: As a child I struggled with hearing aids. I faced sudden deafness and found the joy of hearing through Advanced Bionics technology. I enjoy having conversations with my kids while I drive and know that with my son’s hearing loss there is great technology that will also be available for him some day if needed.