"Is that the clock ticking?"

Having been deaf for over 15 years, and with my hearing deteriorating quite rapidly, I was very fortunate in July 2011 to be accepted for the Cochlear Implant Programme and assessment at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham. The assessment consisted of a CT scan, an MRI scan, hearing tests and hearing therapy, and was over several months.  On 25January 2012 I met with Mr Reid, Consultant ENT Surgeon and Specialist Cochlear Implant Surgeon and his team, and received the good news that I was a suitable candidate and the operation would go ahead as soon as possible.

The operation was performed on 15May at QEHB and lasted about two hours.  It involved inserting the implant and magnet under the skin behind and just above the ear and an electrode array being inserted into the cochlear.

Fortunately, I had no ill effects from the anaesthetic and did not have a great deal of pain. The following morning the bandage was removed and there was no need to apply a dressing.  The stitches were left to dissolve.  After four weeks’ convalescence, I returned on 18 June for the “switch-on” and fitting of the sound processor. The processor is very similar to a hearing aid – just a bit bigger – with a cable attached to a magnetic headpiece which links with the magnet under the skin. 

At first the sounds were electronic via a computer, with a series of beeps and I had to grade the volume and comfort. I had 22 electrodes in my implant and all were performing perfect. The audiologist played them to me individually and it sounded like a musical scale! The processor was then detached from the computer and the audiologist asked me a question, which I was able to answer. I answered several more questions correctly and, as he thought I might be lip reading, he put a piece of paper over his mouth, but I had not been “cheating” and heard everything he said. 

He then asked my husband Dan to say something and, again, I was able to hear what he had said, but we all had a laugh when I said they both sounded like Mickey Mouse on speed!  The audiologist was quite surprised I was able to understand speech so soon and said it was quite unusual but that he was very pleased, and that the sounds would become more natural as time went by. I have had two more visits for hearing assessment and hearing therapy and, having attained high scores for all the exercises, do not now have to visit again for three months.

Was it all worth it?

Yes, it most certainly was – to be able to hear again, even though a lot of the sounds are robotic, is absolutely fantastic. The scar is hardly noticeable and my hair is beginning to grow. I no longer have to twiddle behind my ear to adjust volume and programmes as I had to with a hearing aid, as I now have a remote control which looks like a mobile phone. I know I will have to practice for quite some time yet but already I am able to join in conversations. 

All members of the Hearing Implant team are extremely professional but are also very kind and caring and I just can’t thank them enough. Also, many thanks to everyone who has shown interest and kindness to me during this time, but especially to Kath Ellis who has listened patiently over many weeks and came with Dan to collect me from hospital – no one could wish for a better friend. Not only has it changed my life but Dan’s also – he no longer has to act as my interpreter and repeat things over and over again. He has shown infinite patience over many years and with his support and encouragement I am now able to enjoy life and no longer feel isolated. If you are ever offered this opportunity please take it – it comes highly recommended!