Sudden Loss One morning I woke up and my hearing was just gone. It was like someone had turned the volume way down on life. My husband rushed me to the clinic. My doctor ran some tests, and determined that I had sudden hearing loss with tinnitus in my left ear, but he told us that it might go away on its own. Every night I fell asleep hoping for a miracle, and every morning I woke up so disappointed. I could still hear with one ear, but everything felt so different. I had trouble following conversations, especially if there was any background noise. I had to take a leave of absence from work. I avoided family gatherings and made excuses when friends asked to meet up. Even everyday errands were a challenge. My audiologist set me up with special hearing aids that sent sounds from my bad ear to my good ear. Finding Hope My audiologist recommended I look into a hearing implant. I met with an ENT specialist, who explained that I was a good candidate for two kinds of implants. The first was a bone conduction implant, which would send sounds to my good ear, like my hearing aids, but could provide better sound quality and be worn much more comfortably. The other option was a cochlear implant, which could actually restore hearing to my deafened ear. Gathering Information I researched both systems and read blogs to see how other people liked their implants. I was really impressed by how overwhelmingly positive people were about their experiences. I felt ready to move forward, and my family was behind me 100%. After talking again with my doctor, I decided to get a cochlear implant, because then I would be able to hear with both ears, which would make it much easier to tell where sounds were coming from. Feeling Complete I was surprised at how quickly the surgery went, and I was back at home the same day. I was up and about after a few days of rest. About a month later, it was time to turn on my implant for the first time. I was nervous, but so excited. When my audiologist activated my implant, I heard my husband speak—his voice sounded different, but after so many months, I could finally hear him with both ears. Getting used to my implant took time, but I followed a daily rehabilitation programme that really helped improve my listening skills. After a few months, everything began to sound much more natural. With my hearing back, I feel like myself again, and I can stay close and connected to everyone in my life. Sound Localisation Maria noticed it was no longer possible to tell where sounds were coming from—a friend calling out across the street or birds chirping in the garden left her searching for the sound. A CI is able to effectively reproduce sound in a deafened ear and reduce problems of sound localisation, making it an ideal solution for Maria. With the wide variety of connectivity options, waterproof accessories, and choice of audio processors, Maria knew MED-EL was the best way to get back to all the things she loved doing most. RONDO 2 is a unique single-unit audio processor, meaning everything is combined into a compact piece that can easily be hidden under her hair. MRI Safety Maria had already had two MRIs in the past few years, one for a prolapsed disk and the other on her knee. Maria chose SYNCHRONY, as it can undergo high-resolution 3. For Maria, this means no discomfort, no time without hearing, and no surgery. These profiles should not be considered as medical advice or recommendations. These hearing loss profiles are designed to help people better understand the overall hearing journey. Please contact your doctor or hearing specialist to learn what type of hearing solution is suitable for your specific needs. Not all products, features, or indications shown are available in all areas.
