Hi, I live in Southern California and have had my CI for over 5-1/2 years. Is it perfect? No but 100% better than what I had before getting the implant. Am I excited? You bet. It gave me back my life. My situation with the implant is a little different than most. I was not able to get all the electrodes. Only twelve out of 24 and now only 10. This was because they could not get through the bone. I was heart broken. While waiting for the activation date, no one could convince me that it would work. And believe me, I emailed everyone and had family members talking to the surgeon, etc. It did work. I could understand words immediately. I still felt I was having a hard time and knowing me I would never give up trying to get everything out there to help. I started doing research work at House Ear Institute in Los Angeles. One of the men I worked with took an interest in what had happen to me. With his suggestions and working along with my audiologist, they was able to develop a mapping for me that worked the best. It was double channeling. We have used this basic map for all the upgrades, etc. I feel I hear with the CI as well as most people with CI's. I do not get music as well as some but with the new SS2 it is getting better. Al Jolson sung to me. That was a CI moments for sure. From the beginning, I wanted to go bi-lateral. When my insurance company began doing them, I was first in line. After some testing, I found I had a weakness in the implant ear. Doing a bi-lateral could make it worse and affect the bi-lateral ear with such conditions as Vertigo, balance. I chose not to do the bi-lateral. I did not want to take the chance. Maybe in another year or so, I will pursue the bi-lateral again and see if there is new research regarding this condition. I was disappointed but very thankful they found the problem BEFORE the bi-lateral surgery. I give a blessing for the researchers, developers, audiologist, surgeons and anyone else with giving us this wonderful miracle. I would not change a thing and sorry I didn't get to sooner.
