How Cochlear Implant Made Me More Deaf

Have you ever heard of a cochlear implant? It's a revolutionary device that can help people who are deaf or hard of hearing regain their ability to hear sounds. However, my experience with a cochlear implant was far from what I expected. Instead of improving my hearing, it actually made me more deaf.

Let me take you through my journey with the cochlear implant and explain how it ended up worsening my condition.

Discovering the Cochlear Implant

Like many individuals with hearing loss, I had tried various hearing aids throughout my life. While they provided some assistance, they were never able to fully restore my ability to hear. That's when I stumbled upon the cochlear implant, a device that seemed like a miracle for those with severe hearing loss.

Connected: How a Cochlear Implant Made Me More Deaf

by Faith Ringgold (Kindle Edition)

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1826 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	119 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

After extensive research and consultations with medical professionals, I decided to undergo cochlear implant surgery. The procedure was complex but successful, and I was filled with hope for a world of sound that awaited me.

The Initial Hurdles

As with any medical procedure, there was a recovery period following the surgery. During this time, I faced a few challenges that I had expected, such as adjusting to the device and relearning how to interpret sounds. However, what I didn't anticipate was the negative impact it would have on my overall hearing ability.

Upon activation of the cochlear implant, I was bombarded with an overwhelming amount of auditory input. Sounds that were once familiar became distorted and unbearable. It was as if my brain couldn't make sense of the new signals it was receiving.

The Increasing Deafness

Days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months, but my hearing didn't improve as I had hoped. Instead, I noticed a gradual decrease in my ability to hear even with the cochlear implant. The world became quieter, and conversations became a struggle.

Confused and disheartened, I sought advice from my medical team. What they revealed shocked me - my brain had started to rely solely on the cochlear implant for auditory signals, and my natural hearing had deteriorated as a result. In essence, the cochlear implant had unintentionally made me more deaf.

Coming to Terms

Accepting the fact that the cochlear implant had worsened my hearing was a difficult pill to swallow. I had placed so much hope in this device, only to be let down by its unexpected consequences. However, I didn't want my experience to discourage others from exploring the potential benefits of cochlear implants.

While my situation may be unique, it highlights the importance of thorough research, counseling, and ongoing support before and after cochlear implant surgery. It also underscores the need for personalized care and a holistic approach towards managing hearing loss.

The Silver Lining

Despite the challenges I faced, there is a silver lining to my story. Through this experience, I developed resilience, gained a deeper understanding of myself, and connected with a community of individuals who share similar struggles.

Although the cochlear implant may not have worked for me as expected, it doesn't mean that it won't be successful for others. Each person's journey with hearing loss is unique, and what didn't work for me might work wonders for someone else.

My firsthand experience with a cochlear implant taught me that medical interventions can have unexpected consequences. While it may have made me more deaf, it also opened my eyes to the importance of finding alternative ways to thrive despite the challenges.

So, if you're considering a cochlear implant or any other treatment for your hearing loss, make sure to consult with experts, gather all the information, and listen to personal stories like mine. Remember, hearing loss doesn't define us - it's the resilience and determination to overcome that truly matters.

Connected: How a Cochlear Implant Made Me More Deaf

by Faith Ringgold (Kindle Edition)

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1826 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	119 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

Born deaf, John Cradden grew up as a 'hearing' person with the help of powerful hearing aids - attending fully mainstream schools, learning no sign language, and having no friends who were also deaf. In his late thirties he went almost completely deaf and decided to get a cochlear implant. The whole process of getting one proved long but fascinating and the implant worked successfully. But some five years later, rather than feeling more like a hearing person once again, he began to feel more 'Deaf.' How did that happen? In this honest account, he describes what it felt like to go almost completely deaf, the long assessment process for a cochlear implant operation, the operation itself, the 'switch-on' and the long, tortuous process of re-learning to hear through the implant. He also looks at the technology behind cochlear implants, and questions how the world perceives them. But having spent many years feeling like an 'inbetweener' - neither deaf nor hearing - he explains how he chose to improve his Irish Sign Language and get more involved in the Irish Deaf community.