I wanted to finally be able to listen without stress again.
I would always choose a cochlear implant again
Monday, January 5, 2026
Luisa Wessel is a social worker from Dortmund, Germany and has been using a cochlear implant from Advanced Bionics since 2024 and a Phonak hearing aid on her other ear since 2003.
In this interview, she gives us some insights into her hearing journey, her work as a mentor, her passion for CI jewelry, and tells us why counselling is so important to her.
An Interview with AB Cochlear Implant Recipient Luisa
You have been wearing hearing aids since childhood. Why did you decide to have a CI?
That’s correct. I’ve been wearing hearing aids for about 24 or more years now. I was four years old when my parents received the diagnosis of my hearing loss and about a year later, I got my first hearing aid on my left side. When I got into primary school, I got my second hearing aid on my right side. I was coping quite well with my two hearing aids. But in 2014, the struggles started to become harder. After having all the exams and hearing tests for a CI, I decided not to get a CI at first. I was happy with my new hearing aids and was hearing better than ever.
Exactly 10 years later, I had a terrible tinnitus and migraine attack which led me to my ENT doctor afterwards. Hearing felt different now, even though they couldn’t find any differences. My doctor highly recommended a cochlear implant, and so I decided to get one. My surgery was in October 2024.
Why did you choose the Marvel sound processor from AB?
Making decisions is always a process. It took me six months to come to a decision. And I favored each CI brand at least once. But what convinced me in the end was the Naída Link M hearing aid (bimodal hearing) and the comfort of the AB processor. So, it wasn’t exactly spectacular and exciting.
What was a special moment for you after your CI surgery or when you first noticed an improvement with the CI? How has it changed your life, your free time and your working life?
After activating my Implant, I didn’t have that one special moment. It was more the whole situation, the entire experience that changed, got better in about two or three months. I no longer had any pain when hearing. That was the best. Of course, hearing with my CI didn’t always feel good, but my ear didn’t hurt anymore when hearing loud noises. And with my slowly working prophylactic migraine treatment and my CI, I was able to start enjoying life and socializing again without risking listening fatigue after only a short time.
At work, communication and counselling got easier because I can stream into both hearing devices. Now I use my Roger On 3 for work and sometimes in my free time which makes it even better.
Support for Others with Cochlear Implants
You have also been an AB mentor since March. Tell us a little bit about that. Why did you become a mentor?
Peer-counselling is part of my profession as a social worker, and empowerment is the main goal. And who is better to empower people than someone who has had their own experiences and knows first-hand what they are talking about?
I’m counselling some people on my Instagram account where I share my CI journey. And coincidentally I got in contact with AB Mentoring and liked the idea to counsel and empower these people with a certain goal.
You have discovered a passion: CI jewellery. What fascinates you about it, and what is your motif or piece?
Definitely! I already had one or two pieces from Deafmetal before I had my surgery. I wore them on my hearing aids and was excited about it from the very first moment. Because, what’s better that showing off my beliefs and disability in a society where it’s still stigmatized to be disabled, to have hearing loss. Deafmetal and jewellery are my expression to show the world, I love my cochlear implant, my hearing aids, my hearing loss. It’s a win for life’s quality.
I also love designing my own CI stickers. But my most favorite piece from Deafmetal is the Ice Queen safety ring in silver. It keeps my CI safe, and it glitters.
What advice would you give to other people affected by hearing loss/CI candidates, or do you have any tips for people who are considering getting a CI? What helped you?
Do it! Don’t be afraid, it can’t get any worse. It may take a while to see and hear changes, but these changes are permanent. Personally, I would always choose a cochlear implant again.
Note: The views expressed in this post are those of the author. Each person's situation is unique so your experience may not be the same. Talk to your hearing care provider about whether a cochlear implant is right for you.
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