I don’t promise to be entertaining or even grammatically correct in this blog…simply factual for those that are interested in the process…and for my children to read about it later in life. 🙂
We have decided to move forward with the Cochlear Implant at the Mayo Clinic with surgery scheduled for Friday July 22nd; just under 2 weeks away! Tonight I am researching about the supposed increased risks of meningitis for those that receive a Cochlear Implant. My doctor at the Mayo and the Dr. at the U of MN both mentioned I should get it. My findings are directing me otherwise. This articlefrom the American Academy of Otolaryngology states that the vaccine does not eliminate the risk of meningitis. Also read that getting the vaccine can increase your risk of getting menigitis! Go figure… Leaning towards not vaccinating…
So on to better things… Here is a basic outline of the process for a cochlear implant:
- Choose a Doctor and Manufacturer (I have chosen the Mayo Clinic and Cochlear America’s Nucleus 5 processor and implant)
- Schedule and have surgery to implant the internal device. There is an internal device and external device. The internal device is surgically implanted and looks like this
CI Internal Device
- Now I have about three weeks for my ear to heal after surgery. During this time I will be completely deaf! At the three week point I will receive the external device and have it turned on or “activated.” Here is what the external device looks like:
CI - External Device
- The Activation is a process and will require a series of visits to the Mayo where they will be tweaking my new bionic ear in hopes of improving my hearing over time.