Bionic Ear

Ten years ago this August Todd was implanted with a cochlear implant, an electronic device that provides a sense of sound to a person who is profoundly deaf or severely hard of hearing. We drove 3 hours to Pittsburgh, had a 4 hour appointment, and returned home by midnight. We might have been home earlier were it not for the trip to IKEA:) Anyway, everything looks great with him. She adjusted some of the settings and gave him new programs to try (making certain frequencies a little louder). We also found out that there will be a new processor coming out soon...although this will not improve his overall hearing, it will be nice for him to wear the external part behind his ear instead of on his belt. We also talked about having his other ear implanted which WILL make his hearing remarkably better. It is quite an extensive surgery and, if something would go wrong, he would never be able to hear with a hearing aid again. Right now, the hearing aid and the implant are a perfect pair for him. I liken it to wearing glasses and having eye surgery. Your eyes will definitely improve with surgery but the glass are definitely adequate. If it ain't broke, why fix it? Ultimately, it is his decision and I will go with whatever he wants.