My cochlear implant, by Katie-Louise Bailey
I was born deaf due to B.O.R (Branchio-oto-Renal syndrome). It was genetics from my dad's side of the family.
I was taught in a mainstream school, being able to lip-read, use my speech and sign language. I started to wear hearing aids when I was 18 months old, and although they benefited me ok until I was seven, my hearing went completely in my left ear. I then had to manage with only one hearing aid in the right ear.
When I moved up to college I started to struggle, not being able to keep up with lip-reading as I was getting tired quickly and also I wasn’t able to hear much, which when I was at school didn’t used to bother me. I also refused to talk and used sign language most of the time because I couldn’t hear my own voice. Also I wouldn’t go anywhere without an interpreter.
So, after talking to my teacher of the deaf about not being able to hear as much as I wanted to, he talked to me about a cochlear implant. At the time he told me about the cochlear implant, I knew what it was because some of my friends had them. The main reason I wanted to have the implant was because I thought I'd benefit better and it would help me with the lip-reading and give me more confidence in using my voice. I needed that for my future job as a P.E teacher.
So, I decided to get assessed to see if I was suitable for one. After being accepted to go ahead with the operation, waiting for the switch-on date felt like the longest weeks of my life. I was so nervous and excited at the same time, even though I knew not to expect too much on the activation day. The activation day went well and the implant worked, but I didn't hear much apart from bleeps to every sound that was made in the room.
A month later my implant was turned up and I heard more. I started to hear birds which were so amazing as I'd never heard them before. Lip-reading got easier and there were some words that I can hear without lip-reading. I also tried out my sister's iPod which had loads of music on and I liked it. I could hear different beats but couldn’t follow voices which I could hear in some songs and it sounded good.
The cochlear implant has changed my life a lot, it was best thing I ever had and I wouldn’t now like to be without it.
Nine months later, my confidence got better and I was so glad to hear more. I started to use my voice more, I even spoke out loud through a microphone at the Ear Foundation's Christmas event which was something I previously wouldn't have seen myself doing, and now I'm mixing a lot with hearing students at university, whereas before I used to meet up only with deaf peers.
My cochlear implant has made my life easier and I am much more independent now.
Comments
I live in the Isle of Man and had a hiiatus hernia operation in Broad Green Hospital and woke up deaf in my right ear. The surgeon wrote to the ENT man "Mr Manuja" who saw me several months later and did 3 operations for conductive deafness. " The only thing was that it was sensorinural deafness" He also put in a teflon piston the wrong size. Several years later I had a small knee operation and woke up completely deaf. The nurse immediately went for someone and I met an ENT Man Dr Duncan. Dr Duncan informed me that Mr Manuja had left and Dr Duncan was not prepared to assist me as I was not his patient, but he would make an appointment for me to see Mr manuja the following week and I was dischaged from hospital. When I saw Mr manuja he immediately put me into intensve care and on a drip of Lignocane. This was of little value. I found out several years later that I had to be treated ASAP or within 24 hours for reverse hearing loss to have a chance.Following all this I was treated like a leapor with no contact from the DHSS and it was quite a few Months later when i eventually had an appointment to see a Prof. Ramsden who suggested a cochlear implant. Unfortunately after being subjected to incompetent clowns I was very reluctant to participate with any surgery. I am currently taking a BSc Degree which is very difficult as i am only using hearing aids which a of little help.
I am seriously considering the cochliar implant but am wondering as to the duration from the operation to working as I am back to the degree course in September.
Since becoming deaf I have had a very lonely existance. Oh and by the way I went through what can only be classed as a farce I went into the High Court on my own seeking compensation, and the Judge asked me if I could afford to pay all the costs if I LOST my case. I informed him that I could not even afford my own lawyer and the case was dismissed for want of prossecution.
I have tried for 14 Years to seek justice but have found that there is No Justice in the Isle of Man.
I can give you a list of the Negligence :-
Anaesthetist did not look at my notes prior to aneathetising me.
Manuja did not understand my situation and did 3 operations without consulting a Prof Anaethesia or Prof ENT. by the time he had messed about somone who knew what he was doing could not do anything due to the invasive surgery by Manuja.
Was not treated as an emergency when came around deaf " Refused Urgent Treatment" It goes on
Posted by: J Michael Leather | May 24, 2009 06:14 PM
My son (and myself for that matter) has BOR. I hope you will stop by & visit us at our new blog. I am very excited to read about your journey.
((HUGS))
http://sneakpeekatme.blogspot.com
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Fiona Cain
Posted by: Fiona Cain | July 23, 2009 02:56 PM
Hi. My father, myself, and my son all have BOR Syndrome. I'd love to exchange emails. My address is dannahlea2001 at yahoo.com.
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