My Cochlear Implant

[ernie.buenafe]

The implant procedure was done last February at the VA Hospital in Albuquerque. The procedure and all the associated electronics was paid by the VA. My hearing impairment is a service connected disability resulting from an injury incurred during a US Army tour in Viet Nam. I was twenty at the time.

The first three months were the hardest, in terms of comprehending what I was hearing with my left ear. Hearing with a cochlear implant is different. The "sounds" I now hear are unlike what I heard before. They're purely electronic in nature. As the surgeon who preformed the operation told be -- "It'll sound a little Micky Mouse at first." He was right. My initial comprehension level those early months was probably 10% or less. I couldn't make any sense of the music I was hearing. That was a bummer because I play piano and classical guitar.

It's now been almost seven months...seven months practice hearing a new way. I can honestly say my comprehension has improved immensely, probably near 80%. It's just wonderful.

I'm thankful to the VA everyday for this newfound gift of hearing. BTW, I also have an ordinary hearing aid for my right ear. That ear wasn't damaged as bad as the left side.

[Rocky Stone]

Good for you, Ernie!

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[Carris Mike]

Hi Ernie,

Are the sounds still electronic in nature or has your mind adapted and they now appear more natural?

Mike

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[Richard Shagam]

Glad it's working out for you, now.  I trust that you're regaining your music perception, too?

Richard Shagam
Albuquerque, NM

RNSh...@rhizotech.net 

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[ernie.buenafe]

Yes, what I perceive as sound is now more natural, albeit there is still some oddness to it. My musical perception is better, too. Thank goodness for that. Training my left ear involved not using the hearing aid in my right ear, therefore forcing me to listen more with my left ear. There were a few days where I actually put an ear plug in my right ear. It keeps getting better with time.