Cochlear Implant Assessment...any advice or experience gratefully received!

[kokeshi]

I recently suffered Sudden Profound sensorineural Deafness, which had been wrongly diagnosed for 2 months as glue ear. See previous thread here for how the situation unfolded. It's been really hard to deal with as my whole life has been turned upside down.

Anyway, I have my first appointment with the Cochlear Implant centre tomorrow which I'm apprehensive but hopeful about. I just wanted to hear of anyone else's experiences of going through this process and the outcome. I don't want to get my hopes up too much because I may not be suitable. But I'd like to be prepared as much as possible.

I know SherlockLGJ's DH has had one...would you mind popping on to the thread? And anyone else with children or direct experince much appreciated too.

Many thanks.

Fund the Implant? Feck, that would be a second mortgage in itself then!

Oh welliemum, you will possibly be able to help me with another matter...I'm applying for permanent resident visa for Australia (spousal). I have my temporary one, but I was worried that my deafness would make me medically unfit. I haven't asked immigration yet as I wanted to find out before I told them. Did you have any problems? Do you think they would have grounds to refuse my visa?

Yes, scary - CI is relatively cheaper here in NZ - but still 2nd mortgage territory.

I had no problem with the medical for NZ. I said on the form that I was deaf and wore a hearing aid and they didn't seem to want more info than that.

I think the point of the medical stuff was to identify people who were going to be a net drain on resources, and on paper I looked good, lots of qualifications and been in f/t employment since forever.

I don't know if Aus is different, but they'd be on very thin ice if they tried to discriminate against you simply on the basis of having a disability.

Yes, I thought it would be something like a drain on resources. What about employment in your case (if you don't mind me asking) did you do the same job as your hearing deteriorated? I guess I'm worried that I will look like a risky applicant because I'm not working at the moment as a result of this. I obviously didn't have a transition into it like possibly most people do so maybe I have further to go to get back to normalcy?

Um, um, um..... I changed to a different-but-related job. Don't want to say any more than that as it'll make me too identifiable! I like my new career though and wouldn't change back even if my hearing function post CI allows it.

Resource needs aside, the other issue is whether you have some means of support - not necessarily a job. I didn't have a job before arriving here but DH did, so the assumption was that he was supporting me (well, he was!).

If questioned - though I doubt you would be - you could always say that you are waiting for CI and after that will return to work. Same as anyone with a health problem needing an op.

lol...are you famous!? No worries, I respect your need for anonymity. I am intrigued now!

I know it's really because I'm still on the learning curve...trying to equate who I am now with who I was 5 months ago. Sorry for sounding poncey! It is getting easier and it's a lot to do with my own confidence.

One thing DP and I are looking at is some kind of online business, but it's still very much in the planning stages. My Visa was not applied for through my current partner so it makes it a little complicated I guess. I would have to demonstrate my own financial independence then.

Not famous! I just like being anonymous here on MN. You're welcome to CAT me and I'll reveal all but I promise it's pretty boring!

Re work: it might be worth checking with someone who's applied to Aus, as it might be different, but the emphasis here seemed to be on qualifications and work history, so you wouldn't lose out there. Having a NZ job offer did earn quite a few points though.

I had a big sense of having lost my identity when I lost my hearing. I still sometimes feel as if I'm someone else, which isn't a comfortable feeling, although I have a very good life.

Hi Kokeshi - glad to hear you're on the way to a CI (and sorry I didn't get back to the thread when I ASKED AFTER YOU, I READ IT BUT DIDN'T REPLY IMMEDIATELY, THEN FORGOT). Sorry for the caps.

Re: music, from what I understand, it's easier to recognise songs you already knew rather than "get" completely new songs.

Dominic is having his CI operation next Wednesday.

Thanks all. Hi DimpledThighs, I may have more to ask you after tomorrow, if you don't mind? It'd be great to have views from both the research angle (I am qualified Biomed Scientist) and personal stories.

welliemum...just nosey I think! It would be good to swap stories of the whole journey? Glad there are others on the same route! I know I'm not unemployable...just have had quite an "interesting" life so far which means I haven't stuck to the one career since I graduated.

Christina...that's brilliant! Would you mind letting us know how he got on? You must be really excited/apprehensive for him?

Thanks, just off to get ready just now. Will report back later.

Good Luck.

So I think it was quite a positive day. I saw the ENT consultant lady who was very understanding. She seems to think it would be more likely than not (her words) that I'll be put forward for the CI.

I then was passed on to the physicist who was explained the next hearing tests I have to go through, and how I will have a choice of 3 differecnt types of implant (I think she meant the processer bit). The last person I saw was the audiologist who was pretty much convinced that the only option for me would be a CI based on the hearing test she did today. Pointless even trying more powerful aids...I have no hearing at all!

The next stage will be for me to go down to stay for 2 days at the hospital while they do these tests. I think that should be in about 4 or 5 weeks time. The haven't given me a precise timescale yet but it's quite exciting. It's a lovely hospital. Much nicer than the pokey wee rooms I've been in so far!

I do hope so Califrau. I was told that cases like mine (very sudden, profound, no known cause) pass through only about once a year through the Scottish Inplant Centre. I think there will be less to-ing and fro-ing for this reason.

Again, trying not to get too excited (it's really difficult...all the positive stories) in case it doesn't work out. I really wouldn't want to go through again what I did in November...being told that this may be my life for good.

I refuse to get excited for you just yet...not that I don't believe you won't be referred, but it is a long road and excitement takes so much energy.

I and DH will be here with you every step of the way, email me if you have any questions.

LGJ bounces off with badly concealed excitement.

Wow, it sounds good!

Have everything crossed here for you!

looking good then.

Best wishes.

DThighs

What in the name of all that is good and Holy, did you say to get yourself deleted on a CI ???

First time checking in today..thanks so much everyone, it's so kind of you all. Wonderful to have people to share my journey with. I'll definitely take up the offers of emailing if I have any questions, many, many thanks.

Oh, dimpled thighs got deleted! I don't think she was insulting me or CIs as far as I can remember

oh no - nothing so exciting - I had to ask for it to be deleted as I said quite a lot about what I did for a living and like to be anon on here-esp given redent events and 'outing' of mnetters!

Don't mind you knowing, as I said I will answer any questions about CI if I can.