"My cochlear implant has been a game changer"

In July 2022, I lost what was left of my hearing in my right ear, due to a cholesteatoma infection, thereby becoming profoundly deaf in both ears.

I was told that I would require surgery (I already guessed that), and I was also offered a cochlear implant in the right ear. Initially, I declined the offer, as I'd had a cochlear implant in my left ear, and sadly, the end result of that was that I twice contracted bacterial meningitis. As I understand it, some doctors didn't think I would survive the second bout.

The cochlear implant in the left ear was identified as the culprit, and was surgically removed. The fear of getting meningitis again is why I initially declined the offer of a cochlear implant in the right ear.

Over the weeks, I talked to people I trusted, including a relative of mine who is a trainee pathologist. Her words were, "I totally get why you would be scared of getting meningitis again, but this is your only shot of having any kind of hearing. If I was in your shoes, I would go for it." 

So having a doctor telling me that is the main reason why I had the operation to install the cochlear implant in the right ear, despite my fears of meningitis. That fear will always be there, and I don't think it will ever leave me.

I'm pleased to say that 14 months on from surgery, it has been a success, although I was quite sick after the operation.

But so far, it has been a success, and has made an enormous positive difference to me since the cochlear implant was switched on. It has gone better than I had hoped for, and I have described it to some people as a 'game changer!' 

At least I am able to take part in conversations again.  There are still some sounds that I struggle to identify, but, it is an ongoing learning process.