Cochlear Implants: Young People's Views

What do teenagers who received a cochlear implant when younger think about their parent's decision to go ahead with the surgery?

The National Deaf Children's Society (UK) and The Ear Foundation (UK) has produced a booklet with contains the responses of around 30 children who were between 13 and 17 years old to questions including the following:

1) How Do You Feel About Wearing the External Equipment of the Cochlear Implant?
2) What are the Advantages of Having a Cochlear Implant?
3) What are the Disadvantages of Having a Cochlear Implant?

This informal study also includes information on how the implant works, issues of using a cochlear implant at school, communication, language, identity, and deciding to have a cochlear implant.

This is another nice piece of informative material that I hope parents find as they look for information to help them decide what is best for their child.

You can visit the National Deaf Children's Society or The Ear Foundation for additional information, forums, and more.

Special Delivery

I was surprised to find in the mail today the letter from the insurance company approving Drew's cochlear implant surgery! I have tucked it away in a special place for safe keeping - just in case. I want to celebrate the fact that everything is scheduled, but I am so nervous that something is going to happen to change the approval status for Drew' surgery.

I don't think I am going to answer my phone until the little countdown clock reaches zero.

Too Good to be True?

I have experienced some of the greatest challenges of my life over the last seven months. There were days after Drew was diagnosed that I did not want to get out of bed and face his deafness each morning. Luckily my family and friends were there to support me, and finally I realized that staying in bed, crying all day would not change Drew's diagnosis. So I made a decision; I would get of bed each day. And I would get myself dressed. And I would learn as much as I could about deafness, cochlear implants and oral education. And that's what I have done. Today I feel like I have reaped my first reward of hard work and dedication.

Dr. Kang called today with a date for Drew's surgery. Drew will have simultaneous cochlear implant surgery on June 6. Although not confirmed, he should be activated sometime during the week of June 25. I can not believe that we have traveled to this point in our journey. During these months I have felt like we would never get to the point of having him implanted. Now there is a date on my calendar! We are getting closer to the day that Drew will hear.

Even more amazing (and I'm still pinching myself to make sure I am not dreaming) is that Dr. Kang's office received verbal approval for the surgery from our insurance company today. We should receive a written approval letter within the next week. We are going to celebrate when we receive the letter, but until Drew's ears have two electrode arrays in them nothing is certain. I have read horror stories from other parents receiving calls from their insurance company the week of the surgery with a change in the approval status.

The Cochlear Implant team will finalize Drew's candidacy at their May 8th meeting, but we do not anticipate any issues. At this point, we are just waiting for June 6th to come and praying that nothing changes in the approval status of Drew's implants. If all goes as planned, Drew will be hearing by the end of June. Someone pinch me!

Bluetooth Headset or Cochlear Implant?

For the past few years Bluetooth headsets have become more and more popular. They allow people to talk through their cell phone without holding it in their hand, and without frustrating wires getting in the way. This is because the mic rests on the user's ear and transmits wirelessly to the phone.

Some people think that these devices are extremely useful tools that allows them to make cell phone calls without the hassle of holding the phone or being tethered to a wire.

Others think that while they are useful tools, wearing it during lunch with friends, while playing with their kids, or to bed may project an image of arrogance or "full-of-themselvesness".

This debate, while interesting to me, is not the focus of this post.

It occured to me and Drew's Mom that with all of the Bluetooth-wearing people hustling and bustling around town, Drew's cochlear implants won't look as alien as they would have just a few years ago.

Once a bit older, all the neighborhood kids may even get jealous, perhaps assuming that Drew evidently has a cell phone and not one, but TWO "Bluetooth's" - and their stodgy parents won't even let them have their own phone yet.

Yep, I think I'll just tell all the kids that we love him so much that he gets to have two Bluetooth's.

Cochlear Implant Discussion Groups and Listservs

If you are asking yourself any of the following questions, visiting the link below should help you find some answers.

1) Where can I find out more information about cochlear implants and hearing loss?
2) What are some good cochlear implant, deafness and hard-of-hearing discussion groups?
3) Are there any cochlear implant listservs?
4) What is it like to be a parent to a deaf child with a cochlear implant?
5) What is the best education style for my deaf child?

Visit Cochlear's Discussion Group Page to help you determine the answers.

Also helpful is Boston Scientific's "Bionic Ear Journey Resouces" Page. There you will find a downloadable "Hearing Resources Guide".