“I had assumed [cochlear implants] were only for people who were completely deaf, but I discovered that many people with severe hearing loss and poor speech comprehension—like me—had found success with them.”
My AB Cochlear Implants Gave Me My Life Back – and 95% Speech Comprehension
Monday, August 4, 2025
Jeff Engle thought he would enjoy a relaxing early retirement after a long career, but what he didn’t expect during this chapter of his life was how his hearing loss would start to separate him from the people and activities that he loved. This is his cochlear implant success story—a journey of reclaiming his hearing and reconnecting with the world.
The Early Signs of Hearing Loss
I first noticed my hearing loss in 2007 while still working. My role at a major electronics company involved collaborating with engineers and customers to develop product support plans. I struggled to follow conversations in meetings and relied on a coworker to take notes. I even used a recorder to replay meetings later, often nodding through discussions and hoping I got things right when reading the notes afterward.
I got my first hearing aids around 2008–2009. They helped—but not enough. I still had trouble understanding people, especially in noisy environments or with soft-spoken individuals. This cycle of trying new, more powerful hearing aids continued until late 2023.
My father lived to 97 with mild hearing issues, but even in his last decades, he could understand conversations better than I could—with no hearing aids.
Looking for a Better Option
I soon realized that even the best hearing aids were not helping me. I could spend all day tweaking my hearing aid adjustments in the apps I had. But even when the volume was high, and I could hear speech, I just was not understanding the words.
I started researching alternatives to hearing aids and came across cochlear implants. I have an acquaintance who had gotten cochlear implants, so I was vaguely aware of the technology. I had assumed they were only for people who were completely deaf, but I discovered that many people with severe hearing loss and poor speech comprehension—like me—had found success with them.
My audiologist told me that I should be a good candidate for a cochlear implant, and that I should be able to improve my speech understanding with the current technology. She felt there was no significant new technology for hearing aids that would be better than what I currently had for my severe hearing loss.
That’s when I decided to take the next step and get a cochlear implant and use my hearing aid on the other side.
Choosing My Implant and Preparing for Surgery
After additional hearing tests and a consultation with the surgeon, I chose Advanced Bionics (AB) for my cochlear implant. I felt that AB had more features on the device for connectivity—I do a lot of things on the computer, including creating training videos and using collaborative applications, as well as produce family videos from footage taken while our children were growing up.
AB seemed, to me, to have the more advanced technology. In addition, AB’s headquarters was in California, where we lived, and that meant I would have support right here. I also saw in reviews that they had very good community forums.
I underwent an MRI, received a few shots, and completed an EKG—everything was set for my surgery on April 4, 2024.
“I felt that AB had more features on the device for connectivity”
The Cochlear Implant Surgery
Surgery was simple and uneventful. I was under anesthesia for a couple of hours and returned home the same day with only mild discomfort. The most surreal part? Knowing that a new chapter in my hearing journey had just begun.
My Cochlear Implant Activation Day
Three weeks after surgery, my implant was checked by the doctor and activated by the audiologist.
First, she checked which magnet strength to use, then she checked to see if I could hear her and my wife’s voices, which I could with some effort. Everything sounded tinny at first, which was to be expected. Then, she adjusted the implant by having me indicate how loud certain sounds and tones were, and if they were at a comfortable level. I had already installed the AB Remote app along with AB Support and WordSuccess™. I connected the implant to the AB Remote app and reviewed the settings.
The next day, I started working on word recognition using the WordSuccess app. I understood that I was now training my brain to interpret the electrical signals as sounds. I took a break and went outside and sat under our gazebo with my hearing aid out. As I was stretched out on the couch, I heard a ‘beep beep.’ As I listened more, I realized it was a bird chirping. I probably spent a full hour listening to the sound and telling myself it was a “bird.”
The next day, I went back outside and listened to nature. I realized the sound I heard the day before wasn’t a single bird, but rather two birds singing to each other. Again, I repeated “birds” in my mind while listening. For sure, the sounds were tinny, but I could tell they were full bird songs. I continued to watch YouTube, TV and used WordSuccess, getting better scores each day. I did not put my hearing aid back in until a week before my first adjustment after activation and focused on getting used to the implant and training my brain.
Since I had hearing aids in both ears before surgery, it probably helped accelerate my training.
Life After Activation: Relearning to Hear
First Follow-Up
At my follow-up appointment, my audiologist ran a full hearing test. My speech comprehension had jumped from 15% to 78% in just three weeks. I also had my remaining hearing aid adjusted to work better with the implant.
Continuous Improvement
Over the next four months, I continued using the WordSuccess app and watching TV with captions. My comprehension continued to improve. By this point, I could engage in real conversations with my grandchildren without constantly saying “What?”
My comprehension had climbed to 93%.
Final Check-In
My last check-in after nine months of activation showed a 95% speech comprehension in quiet environments. I now enjoy conversations with family and friends. I attend social events and even appreciate music again—something I had lost years ago.
For the first time in a long time, I feel fully engaged with life.
“For the first time in a long time, I feel fully engaged with life.”
Reflections on a Life-Changing Decision
Looking back, choosing to get a cochlear implant was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. My success was fueled by a supportive family, existing hearing in the implant ear, and a strong commitment to follow the recovery training schedule.
I attribute my success to a combination of having hearing in the implant ear before surgery and having the energy to accelerate the suggested training schedule for my recovery. That may not be the pace for everyone, but the result is obtainable.
I was cautioned that it often took months and in some cases years to fully recognize speech and tones. I continue to work on improving my hearing by listening to audiobooks at least an hour a day. I also try to listen to an hour or so of YouTube and/or TV (now almost always without closed captioning).
I have noticed an amazing improvement in my ability to hear a wide range of musical sounds. For the past several years music has been more of an irritating noise than something pleasing. I am truly enjoying music again.
I wouldn’t have been able to go through this cochlear implant hearing journey without the support of my wife and children. To those considering a cochlear implant: it may not be an instant fix, but with patience and training, it can be life changing.
Whether it takes months or a year, don’t give up. Your own cochlear implant success story could be just around the corner.
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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