Cochlear Implants

My name is Rachel.

 

I am a Clinical Scientist working in Audiology and I am also in the process of receiving  and adapting to a cochlear implant.

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I started this site/blog because I'm in the fairly unique position of being both a professional in Audiology and a patient. I've worn bilateral hearing aids since my hearing loss was diagnosed aged five. Over the years my hearing has deteriorated. I have had a few operations on my middle ears to try to improve my hearing but with limited success. I've noticed it becoming more and more difficult to hear and take part in conversations and have become more reluctant to take part in things I previously would have enjoyed so I decided to go through the assessment process for cochlear implants. As you may know the UK has one of the most rigorous and strict assessment criteria for eligibility for cochlear implants. After a lot of assessment and discussion at the multidisciplinary team meetings it was agreed that I was eligible. This blog will follow the journey I am about to start and chart my experiences with a cochlear implant. 

 

So far, despite being relatively 'well informed',  I've still been taken by surprise by a lot of what I've experienced. 

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My own internet searches have yielded some misleading information so this site aims to be a source of both reliable information and some insights into my own personal experience. I should stress though, that

my own experience is exactly that - it's my experience. Other people are likely to have different experiences. I hope others with experience of cochlear implants will start their own blogs - or add least add their own comments to this one.