I hit the one-year mark on the left side feeling very positive and grateful for what I have accomplished. I’m continuing to perform well and have started to take for granted my hearing abilities to the point that I...
My Cochlear Implant Journey, Part 10: To Hell and Back
Where will I go with this map? My first trip was to hell and back. Until I became a cochlear implant user, the term “mapping” was a pretty mysterious word. I understood that it basically meant that the implant was...
My Cochlear Implant Journey, Part 9: Activation
A Big Change Twenty-two days after surgery, my cochlear implant was activated. I will be honest: I had some very mixed feelings on activation day. It was all so new to me that I needed time to process from a...
My Cochlear Implant Journey, Part 8: The Bubble
Not My Imagination Nearly three weeks post-op I had a medical scare that was quickly resolved. The process of healing was going well, and I thought I was pretty prepared for what to expect along the way. Still, I’ve come...
My Cochlear Implant Journey, Part 7: Convalescence
Thankful Homecoming I made it home from surgery safe and happy. I suffered no adverse effects, had no dizziness, and walked fine. My taste remained normal — no metal taste — and there was no facial numbness, tingling, or facial...