by Samuel R. Atcherson
As a PhD student in audiology at The University of Memphis, experiencing cochlear implantation from both a professional—and patient—perspective is a rare opportunity.
Two years ago, I was a master’s student in audiology at The University of Georgia learning about cochlear implants (CIs). At that time, colleagues and family members approached me about whether the CI was appropriate, but I was unsure if I even wanted the implant. In my mind, I dealt with my fears about the implant, my identity as a person with hearing loss, and my ability to practice audiology independently. I was sure I could be of assistance to individuals with hearing loss and to the academic/research audiology communities without a CI, but I worried that the technology would not work for me, knowing that I would lose residual hearing. I had been a relatively successful user of hearing aids with a progressive hearing loss of 23 years after my loss was diagnosed at age 3 of unknown cause. As my hearing loss progressed, I had a lot of time to think about cochlear implantation.
In May 2001, I began to lose a noticeable amount of speech discrimination ability. Panic struck, but I was able to keep a level head with my audiology background. No longer did I worry about my identity or my future career—I made the decision to pursue implantation. I assured myself that I had everything to gain and not much to lose. As part of the candidacy process, my hearing loss was recently diagnosed as the result of bilateral large vestibular aqueducts. I was elated to learn of this condition, which was made possible by CT scans.
I was granted candidacy at the House Ear Clinic in Los Angeles on July 13, 2001, and had surgery 10 days later.
On the day of activation, the sounds that I heard were not anything I anticipated or expected. I could barely make out voices and environmental sounds, but I was hearing! It was as if I was in a hard-walled cave, with sounds bouncing around in my head and blending together. It was actually quite disappointing. Within a few hours, sounds became more meaningful, but I knew I still had a long way to go.
The cochlear implant doesn’t sound that different from my hearing aids, but it does give me more sound information. With the implant, high-frequency speech cues are restored and softer sounds are audible. Today, after five months of use and a few months of aural rehabilitation, my voice quality has improved. I am able to take some notes in class, and I experience less fatigue and eyestrain. Also, I can hear subliminally while taking a nap, and I have become quite a chatterbox with my new cell phone.
I feel much more confident about clinical practice as an audiologist. My goals are to engage in clinical practice after graduation and then return to academia to teach and conduct research.
Samuel R. Atcherson is a PhD student in audiology at The University of Memphis. Contact him by email at satchrsn@memphis.edu.