cochlear implant

Luisa - posted on 09/08/2011

Two years has passed since I had written my reply. It is interesting to read what I had written. My son now has two implants and after our 2nd year check up with our specialist he asked if we had made the right decision......I said it was the best we could have ever made. Our son now attends mainstream school, he is able to speak and hold a conversation, he can hear music, birds churping, trams sqeaking on the tracks. How could I have denied him this? Yes it is ok to be deaf and how lucky is my son to be a part of two communities, the hearing and the deaf. He can speak and also sign, he is one very lucky boy.

Melinda - posted on 09/08/2011

If someone looses a leg we give them the ability to walk again. We transplant organs. Why would I not give my son the ability to hear??? As a parent I want for my son to have all That he can. Yes it can be fustrating and alittle tough, but the rewards are well worth it. If you choose to be deaf there is nothing wrong with that but if you choose to find away to bring sound into your world there is nothing wrong with that either.

Luisa - posted on 07/09/2009

Hi Tamra,

my son is four and will be five in October. He was born with a hearing impairment (profound in one ear and mild to moderate loss in the other) and was able to utter one word nouns. Unfortunaly he lost all his hearing late last year. We headed down the road of an implant. Luke began signing which helped his behavour and was implated the 28th April this year. He was then switched on two weeks later. It has been the best decision that we have made. He is now begining to copy our words, begining to put words together and most importantly turn towards us when we call his name. We are very excited and delighted with the implant and are looking to have the second one by Xmas. Each child is different, we know a few children through our school that you wouldn't even know that they had been implanted but there are also some children who can't talk. When we made our decision we didn't know how much Luke would benefit but we had to give him every opportunity that was available to him. The Victorian Eye and Ear hospital website has some great information. Let me know if you want more details about operation etc. Good Luck Opps i just saw the date, you probably have had it done by now?

Kimberly - posted on 04/24/2009

Unlike most of the people who have replied, my daughter doesn't have CI's. She is currently wearing hearing aids and will be implanted in May. It was a difficult descion to make but as the adults, it was our responsibility to make that decision for her. She knows that there is nothing wrong with her not being able to hear. She could hear until May of 08 and was diagnosed in Aug of 08. We have taught her that she has hearing aids/CI's because they help her hear everything going on around her. We made the decision so that she could function in today's society. Most children with CI's surpass their peers in school b/c they can hear things those peers cannot hear. Also, she will be recieving Advanced Bionic implants. We felt that these were easier for a child to operate, are water resistant and they can grow with her. She can also personalize them with the colors of her choice. We feel making them part of her is showing that she is not ashamed of her hearing loss and she can express herself like any other 4 year old.

Portia - posted on 04/23/2009

Quoting Emily:

Tamra,

let your son make a decision when he is mature enough to make a decision. Don't make the decision to have him get the cochlear implant. You will regret it in the future, there is nothing wrong with being deaf!! geesh... I seen alot of deaf people are successful with their life. They do not need ears to do the work, they need their eyes to do the work.

no we will not regret it! When are kids are old enough to make that decision for themselfs it will then be too late. Now is there "Window of oppurtunity" when there young. The technology is out there for us to use it... maybe back in your days it wasnt as great as it is now??? Its so easy to do sign language! these kids can learn it down the road when there talking but they cant learn sign first then learn speech. You cannot only depend on your hands to do all the work when you have a voice and just have to learn how to use it. God gave us a voice for a reason.

Dawn - posted on 04/11/2009

My son is going to be 4 in june and was implanted and sept 11 2006 (right after he turned one) we have had great success with the implant. He could hear the bird that first spring. I know it is not for everyone and we had a very hard time deciding what we wanted to do in the end we did have him implanted on one side (the side that he was profoundly deaf in) and it is working for us. He is also learning sign language as a second way to comunicate.

Andrea - posted on 04/11/2009

My Daughter was born a hearing child she had perfect hearing and loved music. She danced and sang before she said her first word. When she was 13 mths old she got very sick. She had Bacterial Meningitis and we almost lost her. Because of the infection she lost all of her hearing. Her ears were destroyed. She was in Boston Childrens Hospital for Two weeks and we took home only to have her wake up screaming in the middle of the night. She would bite her hands and arms shaking violently because she was scared. She was now thrust in a world of silence. It was a very hard thing to help her understand being so young. I immediately Started learning ASL. Her first sign was Daddy. I had to make the decision very quickly whether or not to get her C. Implants. With meningitis scaring and bone growth destroy the cochlea so she would not be able to make the decision when she was grown. I think that it was the hardest decision I ever had to make and second guessed my self even in the waiting room while she was having the surgery. I am giving her the chance to make the decision to Be a part of the speaking world and the Deaf Community. She will always be Deaf. Her first language will be ASL. She doesn't have to wear the processor if she doesn't want to as she grows she will have the choice. She was born hearing I want to give her the opportunity to hear again. However if she was born Deaf I would not choose the implants. It has been two weeks since surgery, I have no idea what awaits us. I am scared. I hope that my decision was in her best interest. I hope she does not get angry with me. I thought if she grew up knowing that I could have giving her the chance to hear again and didn't give her that opportunity she would angry. Time was not an option for her. Thats our story. We will see what the future brings.

Andrea - posted on 04/11/2009

My Daughter was born a hearing child she had perfect hearing and loved music. She danced and sang before she said her first word. When she was 13 mths old she got very sick. She had Bacterial Meningitis and we almost lost her. Because of the infection she lost all of her hearing. Her ears were destroyed. She was in Boston Childrens Hospital for Two weeks and we took home only to have her wake up screaming in the middle of the night. She would bite her hands and arms shaking violently because she was scared. She was now thrust in a world of silence. It was a very hard thing to help her understand being so young. I immediately Started learning ASL. Her first sign was Daddy. I had to make the decision very quickly whether or not to get her C. Implants. With meningitis scaring and bone growth destroy the cochlea so she would not be able to make the decision when she was grown. I think that it was the hardest decision I ever had to make and second guessed my self even in the waiting room while she was having the surgery. I am giving her the chance to make the decision to Be a part of the speaking world and the Deaf Community. She will always be Deaf. Her first language will be ASL. She doesn't have to wear the processor if she doesn't want to as she grows she will have the choice. She was born hearing I want to give her the opportunity to hear again. However if she was born Deaf I would not choose the implants. It has been two weeks since surgery, I have no idea what awaits us. I am scared. I hope that my decision was in her best interest. I hope she does not get angry with me. I thought if she grew up knowing that I could have giving her the chance to hear again and didn't give her that opportunity she would angry. Time was not an option for her. Thats our story. We will see what the future brings.

Emily - posted on 03/04/2009

Tamra,

let your son make a decision when he is mature enough to make a decision. Don't make the decision to have him get the cochlear implant. You will regret it in the future, there is nothing wrong with being deaf!! geesh... I seen alot of deaf people are successful with their life. They do not need ears to do the work, they need their eyes to do the work.

Emily - posted on 03/04/2009

I am against cochlear implant. It is not fair for the children to suffer when they become big and find out that he or she has cochlear implant will impact their life when they go to college or university. I have seen it all. I seen some children who had parents made decision to have them get cochlear implant, when hr or she becomes big and found out that there is nothing wrong with being deaf, or is embarrassed having cochlear implant, they go after their parents, ended up in a big debate.

Laura - posted on 02/06/2009

My son received his first CI 5 years ago and his second one last summer.  I know everyone says this, but it really was the best thing we ever did...both times.  We actually wavered more on whether to get the bilateral one last summer than the first one, he was already doing so well!  He is in mainstream 1st grade with just some assistance from the hearing impaired teacher a few hours a week. 

I know what it is like to not live near the help your child needs. We drove 4 hrs each way to speech therapy every monday for a year and a half after the first implant. It took a lot of effort and time (and money:) but it was worth it for him to be able to hear and talk for the rest of his life. It was the best gift we could ever give him.

Dixie - posted on 01/31/2009

My son was born at 23 weeks gestation and only 1 pound so he was very premature. We found out at one year that he was profoundly deaf. At 2 he got his CI and hel was only 15 lbs. He is now 8 and last may he was inplanted on the other side. He talks just like any other child and we have never signed. He goes to mainstream school in grade 2 and is doing very well. Getting the First Ci was amazing and when offered the second it did not take much for us to decide yes. The surgery is scary but he came home from this last one the next day and was fine three days later to go to school.

I would highly recommend it.

Tricia - posted on 01/30/2009

My daughter got one in april of 08--- and has done a 360.  She is speaking very well.  The surgery is kind of scary, but well worth it.  My daugher just turned 4 in Dec and she loves her "new" ear.  She wears a hearing aid in her left ear, because she only has a moderate loss in that ear.  I would really research it.. because it is amazing.  There is a lot of therapy along with it... because they have to learn to hear again.  The research I have read.. it is the closest thing to normal hearing.  Much better than a hearing id.

Debbie - posted on 01/28/2009

My daughter is 5 and had her 1st cochlear implant 1 1/2 yrs ago. She had the 2nd

implant about 6 months. We are soooo glad we had this done for her. Now she can

finally hear like she should. Hearing aids just weren't doing much for her and were always a problem. We also went with the Cochlear brand as they are better suited for

children being that they are water resistant. Also, I believe they have a longer warranty.

The surgery went very well but she cried for about a 1/2 hr to hour after surgery which is

very normal. It takes 30 days for the incision to heal before they can wear the speech processor and then it takes another 3 to 4 weeks before their brain can start to disyfer speech. So your looking at two months after surgery before they can really make out speech. You'll need to find a real good school or speech pathologist who know how to deal with children with cochlear implants. We are very happy we did this for your daughter. She still only talks at a 3 yr old level but she is making great progress!

Tamra - posted on 12/18/2008

Thank you to all who have helped me through this..I wanted to give an up date. As of now we are focusing on his schooling. We will be sending him to The School for the Deaf. which is 4 hours away! (not looking forward to that part). He will stay the school week in a dorm and come home on the weekends. (again, not looking forward to him being gone). I know some of you are asking "Why would you send him then?"



It was one of the hardest decesions I ever had to make. but I have been looking at the schooling here in my little rinky dink town..... and the public school here doesn't have the same resources as the school for the deaf does. and Cody would be much further ahead and a lot sooner if we send him to the school for the deaf. With as much as he can talk already, it may only take 2 or 3 years at the school. We just don't know. Don't get me wrong I absolutely love my son, I just want to do whats best for him now, so he can have a better life when he grows up and decides what career path he will take.

if you would like to contact me, my email is tamra_monette@hotmail.com

Roshanda - posted on 12/17/2008

yes my child have one and i just love it. she got it when she was 2 and now just talking and signing you can call me if want more info or email roshandayoung23@yahoo.com

Dawn - posted on 11/27/2008

I am a sign language interpreter who works with Deaf kids. I have worked with kids from preschool to college and I have been doing this for 15 years. I have seen benefits to both getting and not getting CI's I think that research and opinions like this are great for Moms (and Dads) to make a decision. Technology today is so much more refined than it was when CI's first came out. I have friends with CI's and without and each has stories of pros and cons. My only advice though is to learn some sort of "manual communication" so that you can communicate clearly with your child. Also when your kids meet other deaf people in the future they can communicate and share stories of their childhood and life. I have also met many Deaf individuals who grew up not being able to communicate with their parents and it really is sad. Deafness can be challenging..but there is also an awesome Deaf community out there too. There is a rich culture of Deafness and many who are proud to be in that community. Being able to communicate allows your child to feel a part of something special that not many people are in. It can be isolating to feel like you are the only one who is Deaf. I would have kids involved in different activities/camps with other kids who are deaf..it's a very good self esteem builder! Feel free to contact me with any questions. I would be happy to help in any way.

Vanessa - posted on 11/25/2008

My daughter was bilaterally implanted in the summer of 2006. She was 4. She is now 6 1/2 and in first grade. She goes to public school in a mainstream classroom with no aid or translator.She relies only on speech and some lip reading And on her first report card.....all A's!! She dances and tumbles and loves music. The surgery wasn't bad at all. My daughter was up walking and playing with toys in the recovery playroom soon after surgery. We were released about 3 hours after surgery. My daughter has Nucleus Freedoms. One has been dropped in the pool and survived!! Getting my daughter implanted was right for our family and our area, where there are few, if any, deaf people living around here. She can communicate with everyone around her with no problems. It is a hard decision and it is not right for everyone but has been wonderful for us. The thing that helped me decide the most was to go to a deaf school and they let me talk to some kids (not about implants or being deaf, just ask questions about what their favorite subjects were, etc.) and I got to see the difference in the speech and interaction and confidence. Good luck on your decision and journey. I am sure we would all be glad to share more information and personal experience with you. Please keep us posted.

Monita - posted on 11/25/2008

Hi Tamra,
My son is now 7 years old and had a cochlear implant when he was 2.5 years old. I have never looked back! This is an amazing gift that you can give your child. But do not throw away sign language. It did SO much for my son to help develop his speech. See my website www.tinyhandz.co.za if you need more info you can contact me.
Good luck and God bless!

Keri - posted on 11/24/2008

My son Anthony is also 5(in March) he has had his Cochlear since he was two years old. It has been the best thing I could have done for him. I am not going to lie and say it is an easy process, but it is worth it in the end. He was found to be profoundly deaf in both ears. The cochlear has brought him to the point where he hears language and is saying words and communicating more and more each day.( We also use sign language ) I am greatful that such great devices. It is a big decision to make for your child I know that. When me and my husband found that the hearing aids where no working we looked into the next step with great care. We talked about it and came to this discison, we were scared about the surgery and knew it was a risk like any surgery is,but in the end giving hime that chance to hear our voices or any sound was worth it. He came out of surgery fine and was home the day after the surgery and now we are hoping he can get his second one soon. I would do it all over again I would not hesitate. He likes his cochlear he will wake up in the morning and start watching t.v and he will his device to me and want me to turn his ear on so he can hear what is on tv too. HE is doing well in school and will soon be joining the mainstream kindergarten class. He said snow today in excitement of our first snow being on the ground. My son has the Nucleas Freedom. I am posting a link that leads to to that site and it will give you information. There are also groups on Facebook full of Adult Cochlear wearers who are more then happy to talk to you about it. I never ever wish this decision on any parent and I know the heartache you are feeling. http://www.cochlearamericas.com/index.as...

Jacey - posted on 11/23/2008

my son turned 5 in march for his 5th bday he was waring his implant and it was the best moment of my life . i am a young mom of 2 and having a hearing impared child has been a challange and is all new to me, i was scared out of my mind to put my son thro the ci surgry, but i would do it all over again.. its been about 8 months now and within the past 3 months he has said so many new things and responds 100 percent better i am so happy and thankful he was able to have the surgry... and i know you will say the same after its all over:)

Verena - posted on 11/16/2008

Hey there

I can say from our experience, we are really happy to had the opportunity to get an CI for my daughter, perhaps she get hers in germany, and will get her second one in february.....right now she speaks english and understands good german and does ASL. And my youngest will get two at once in February too.

Verena

Erin - posted on 11/11/2008

My son received a cochlear implant at age 3. It has been the best thing we have ever done. The procedure is outpatient, so you would check into the hospital and have the surgery (about an hour to hour and a half), stay for some brief recovery time, and then check out of the hospital. Since the hospital was 2 hours from home, we chose to stay in a hotel near the hospital for the first night. Our son comes out of anesthesia very combative, so it was rough (besides I was 8 months pregnant). It was stressful, but well worth it. There are 3 major brands of cochlear implants - Cochlear, Advanced Bionics, and Med El. Med El is not general used for children. We went with Cochlear for many different reasons. They only make cochlear implants, so that is the full focus of their research whereas Advanced Bionics has a few other things they work on. Cochlear has been doing implants for much longer. Generally speaking, the 2 brands have similar result. Our son has a Nucleus Freedom, which is water resistant (he can wear it in the sprinklers and rain (or in our case - snow) without us worrying. He has even stuck his head under a faucet and everything was just fine. Cochlear makes all of their products so that if they come up with something new in the future, the implant that my son has will always be compatible. To me, the Cochlear brand looks more modern - I kind of feel like Advanced Bionics looks like electronics from the 80s, but that is my personal opinion. I *wish* we had been able to give our son bilateral implants, but it was not an option at the time. After the surgery, you wait for the incision to heal 5-6 weeks and then go for the activation where they turn on the implant for the first time. They told us not to expect anything for quite a while, but within 2 days, our son was responding to his name from separate rooms. Within 2 weeks, I yelled from the kitchen, "Do you want another roll?" just to see what would happen and he responded, "No roll." People on various forums are going to give you various opinions (implants are bad, that brand stinks, whatever), but you are the parent and you know what is best. I am happy to share all the information and experience I have with you - as long as you don't mind my occasional opinion. I am now going through the whole process again hoping for a second implant for my first son and perhaps needing an implant for my 3rd son. I want my children to grow up to be and do anything they desire and this seemed like the best option for us. I know that some parents and deaf people will tell you that deafness will never hold them back, but in all reality, there are just some jobs that you can't have if you can't hear. We have still taught our children sign (they will and always will be deaf), but this allows another, more universal communication method for them. If someday they choose not to wear their implant, I am fine with that, I just wanted them to have every opportunity while they were young and it was most useful to them. My son is in kindergarten (now age 5) and may be skipping a grade next year because he is doing so well. We have had such support from speech therapists and teachers that he is truly a success story.