Cochlear implant

[Nic91]

Hello,

Does anyone have experience of knowing someone with a cochlear implant or have one themselves?? Can explain how it works etc.

My baby has recently been diagnosed with permanent hearing loss and whilst we are trying hearing aids first, it is likely we will be going down the cochlear implant route.

Many thanks.

My daughter's mother-in-law has had one. It just means she ignores me rather than not try to lip read. She can hear now

My Dh had one 19 years ago, it changed our lives.

I've worked with deaf people before, I think getting the support of other deaf families will be helpful. Maybe try the National Deaf Children's Society. I don't believe a cochlear implant restores full hearing, learning British Sign language will also be useful to help with communication. I hope you get some deaf people giving better advice but didn't want to ignore.

There is a group who work to introduce potential new users/parents of potential new users to established users. It is well worth looking into this as they can talk to you about the real, day to day implications, improvements, considerations etc. I can't remember their name off the top of my head but I'll try and dig it out at work tomorrow for you.

Both my DC have. Life changing. But as pp said, it doesn't restore hearing. And there's a long rehab road post switch on.

National Deaf Childrens Society and CICS both good for support/advice

https://www.cicsgroup.org.uk/

Feel free to PM me.

My son has 2. He is 21 now, was diagnosed deaf at 2, got hearing aids and was implanted at 13.
The prognosis is very good, especially when implanted early as they tend to do now. DS is currently studying Arabic and international relations at uni. Just done a year in Morocco, followed by a month at
Spanish language school. He has no interest in sign language
And has always been oral.
Feel free
To ask questions.
Cochlear implanted children's society (CICS) are
Very helpful.

It’s CICS - cochlear implanted children’s support group @JustALittleHelpPlease I’d highly recommend them!

My 6 year old DD has bilateral CIs, she got them at 18 months old, she’s been profoundly deaf from birth. She’s doing really well with them, if you didn’t see the implants you wouldn’t realise she’s deaf. Her speech is completely “normal” (for want off a better word… she doesn’t have a deaf accent). She had 2 years of auditory verbal therapy through the cochlear implant centre. She makes listening through them look effortless, but it actually takes huge amounts of effort from her, and she’s constantly struggling with listening fatigue. She’s amazing and such a hard worker. Has a lot of support (1:1 at school, radio aid system). I can answer any specific questions if you like x

Should have said my DC are young adults/teenagers now. Eldest (late diagnosis) still relies a fair bit on lip reading, but her speech is very good. Independent, working.
Youngest, still at school, has much better hearing/listening skills but his speech isn't as good.
But generally outcomes are very good.

@geogteach Hi. That sounds amazing! Your child has done so well. Very pleasing to hear. I'm just at the beginning of the journey but staying positive. How did your child do with hearing aids?

I know that Tasha from Love Island has one! - she shared a video on Instagram recently about having it and how it changed her like

*life

Nic91 he did good with hearing aids but had a progressive loss so got to the stage where they no longer worked. He has always done mainstream school. Struggled with phone and TV and would still prefer to avoid both but does it as he needs. He does lip read but this is not something he was ever taught just picked it up as he needed. He does notice if he can't lipread and as someone else said listening is much more hardwork than for the rest of us, he will 'unplug' if he needs a break.

Yes! CICS, they're the ones, highly recommend getting in touch with them