A Rebirth

A few years later, as my hearing got worse, I could no longer ignore that it was affecting those around me, particularly at home. I made appointments with several different ENTs and audiologists, always searching for that elusive definitive answer as to what was wrong and how to fix it. In each case, I was told my ears were clear and my eardrums were not damaged. No one had any idea of why I might be losing my hearing. Since then, I have come to find out that roughly 78% of cochlear implant patients have unknown or genetic reasons for their hearing loss. Five years after the initial red flag was raised by my internist, I began to wear hearing aids. 

Over the next ten years, as my hearing continued to decrease, my home and work life became increasingly impacted by this loss. I saw upwards of six different audiologists or hearing aid professionals in search of better hearing aid technology. I held out hope that I might one day be able to hear not as I once did, but at least better than I currently was. At each clinic, I asked if I was a good candidate for a cochlear implant (something I was familiar with through books and television). The responses given were universally "something to think about in the future," and then I was sent on my way with my hearing aids professionally cleaned, and a metaphorical pat on the head.

At work, I have stopped relying on the talk-to-text app on my phone, instead being able to listen to what people are saying, and, if need be, asking them to repeat themselves. At home, I am streaming TV programs without captions. I do miss some words occasionally when there might be an accent, music in the background, or someone speaking quickly, but I hear enough words to understand the overall story line. In the car, I hear other cars around me, including emergency vehicles, whereas before it was entirely visual. On walks, I can now hear people coming up behind me, whether they’re jogging, or on their scooters or bicycles. Because of that, my sense of safety has increased immeasurably. I know that wearing hearing aids and cochlear implants is not like wearing glasses. My hearing will never be what it was. That said, I have been thrilled with what I have been able to comprehend with my cochlear implant in such a short span of time.