Self-perception has been on my mind lately. I’ve been thinking about how my cochlear implants changed how I see myself and my deafness. Before my implants, I was very tough on myself. I took full responsibility for communication and felt...
My Cochlear Implant Journey, Part 17: A Short Trip Away From Home
Taking My Ears on the Road About a month after my second implant was activated and I was hearing from both ears, I decided to take a short venture away from home. It was not to test my hearing but...
My Cochlear Implant Journey, Part 16: Bilateral Heaven
Deciding to get cochlear implants is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Having two implants has taken the experience to the next level — being able to hear in both ears is bilateral heaven. I have a greater...
My Cochlear Implant Journey, Part 15: Activating My Second Cochlear Implant
Now that I have two cochlear implants, I’m done with hearing aids permanently. About a week after my surgery, I tried wearing my hearing aid but there was no sound. I realized I was completely deaf now. The attempt to...
My Cochlear Implant Journey, Part 14: Going Under the Knife, Take Two
I said goodbye to the last of my natural hearing on June 24, 2019, when I underwent surgery for my second cochlear implant, this time for my right ear. This second surgery was almost exactly a year after my first...
My Cochlear Implant Journey, Part 13: Deciding to Get a Second Cochlear Implant
There are several reasons I decided to take this journey again. I realize with all the positive outcomes of having just the left implant, it may seem unnecessary, so I’ll try to explain. For one thing, my right ear uses...
No Bones About It: Osteoporosis May Nearly Double Risk of Sudden Hearing Loss
What does osteoporosis, a potentially debilitating disease affecting some 10 million Americans and 2 million Canadians, have in common with conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, dementia, and other selected conditions? It can go hand in hand...
Are Portable Music Players Putting Your Ears at Risk?
Turn the Music Up, Dude — But Not Past 85 Decibels You probably use your tablet or smartphone often to stream music, TV shows, or movies. In fact, many websites these days auto-play videos regardless of whether you want them...
Diabetes & Hearing Loss: What’s the Deal?
Are hearing impairment and diabetes connected? More than you might think. Hearing loss — which affects an estimated one of every five Americans — is twice as common among people living with diabetes, making healthy habits and regular hearing checkups...