Cochlear Implants Research Paper
A cochlear implant consists of a small electronic device that is surgically implanted, an external speech processor, and a microphone which captures incoming sound in electrical signals that stimulate the auditory nerve fibers to send information to the brain where it is interpreted as meaningful sound. It improves the communication ability in adults and children who are profoundly deaf (“nerve deafness”) in one or both ears, helping them understand conversations. It does not restore hearing. It is the first major advance in research and technology since Sign Language was developed at the Paris deaf school. Individuals with profound hearing loss are limited because even the most powerful hearing aid can provide little to no benefit. Why? Because
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hearing aids are an electro acoustic body worn apparatus which typically fits in or behind the wearer's ear, designed to only amplify and modulate sounds for the wearer. In accordance, with the Itinerant Connection (2009), they are clearly not the same.
In the seventies, in Australia and Austria, there were two groups of scientists working on the development of the multichannel Cochlear Implant. On December 16, 1977, Prof. Kurt Burian implanted a multichannel cochlear implant, device that was developed by the Scientists Ingeborg and Erwin Hochmair. In December 1984, the Australian cochlear implant was approved by the Food and Drug Administration to be implanted in adults in the United States.
According to Desert Sounds (2009), an implant consists of an external portion that sits behind the ear, and a second portion that is surgically placed under the skin. An implant has the following parts: 1) a microphone, which picks up sound from the environment; 2) a speech processor, which selects and arranges sounds picked up by the microphone; 3) a transmitter and receiver/stimulator, which receive signals from the speech processor and convert them into electric impulses; and, 4) an electrode array, which is a group of electrodes that collects the impulses from the stimulator and sends them to different regions of the auditory nerve. Concurring with the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (August, 2009), cochlear implants bypass damaged portions of the ear and directly stimulate the auditory nerve. Signals generated by the implant are sent by way of the auditory nerve to the brain, which acknowledges the signals as sound.
Cochlear implants are designed for people who don’t gain benefits from hearing aids. The surgery is done under general anesthesia and lasts from two to three hours. One interesting detail is that hearing through a cochlear implant takes time to adapt. Finally, this little in size but big advance in technology, device has many deaf people receiving the benefits of enjoying a conversation.
The cochlear implant surgery for profoundly deaf or with no hearing, is done in developed countries worldwide. Even though it’s a very expensive procedure, many deaf people have done it. Due to the high cost of the device, surgery and post-implantation therapy you have to go through a process to see if you are candidate for the procedure.
There are two types of cochlear implants: the intra-cochlear implant and the extra-cochlear implant. In both cases, the implant may be of single channel or multiple channel type. In single-channel implants only one electrode is used, whereas in multi-channel cochlear implants, an electrode array is inserted in the cochlea so that different auditory nerve fibers can be stimulated at different places in the cochlea. This investigation is focused in fourteen deaf people that live in the United States, and are deaf from birth, for medical reasons or other conditions.
Preliminary research includes questions to: people that had the surgery done, family members and some college friends on what they knew about cochlear implants. Secondary research includes articles on the web about: news of the implant; news of companies that manufacture the device; websites specialized on cochlear implant; and websites, like Wikipedia, that define and give you general information of the implant. Also, via email, an open and closed format questionnaire was conducted for primary research to the fourteen people.
It is important to know how the people became deaf to help understand the benefits they received from having the surgery. The questionnaire will reflect the changes in lifestyles that each one went through.
One of the findings that the questionnaire provided was how they became deaf. Eight of the fourteen people or 57% said that they lost their hearing gradually. Four people, that is 29%, lost their hearing because of medical reasons, and two people, 14%, were born deaf.
The cost of the cochlear implant surgery varies from $50,000 to $91,000 depending on the medical health insurance. In some cases, it covers all the costs, in others just a percent of the total. Depending on the location, the doctor and the kind of implant the costs will vary.
The findings from the questionnaire show, as you can see on the pie chart, that the 37% represents the average cost of $50,000 to $60,000, in other words five people paid that amount. Next, 21% of the sample, which is three people, paid more than $91,000. Luckily, three people, 21% of the sample, were fully covered by the health insurance, which paid the total amount. On the other hand, 14% of the sample or two people paid the amount of $71,000 to $80,000. Finally, $81,000 to $90,000 was the cost that one person, the 7% of the sample, paid.
The demographic table below shows the age, gender, race and state of residence of the fourteen people that were questioned about their experience with their implants.
Demographics
| Age | Gender | Race | State of Residence | Person 1 | 79 | M | African American | NH | Person 2 | 48 | F | White | NJ | Person 3 | 66 | F | White | PA | Person 4 | 49 | F | White | CO | Person 5 | 55 | F | White | TN | Person 6 | 79 | F | White | TX | Person 7 | 52 | F | White | OH | Person 8 | 65 | F | Caucasian | NY | Person 9 | 68 | F | Caucasian | FL | Person 10 | 63 | F | Caucasian | NJ | Person 11 | 52 | F | Caucasian | FL | Person 12 | 55 | F | Black | CA | Person 13 | 43 | F | Rainbow | NJ | Person 14 | 51 | F | Will not answer | FL |
Of the fourteen people interviewed, the table above shows the age range is from 43 to 79 years. Most of the people were females. There is a balance between caucasian and white people in the race column. All are residents of the United States.
In conclusion, a cochlear implant does not restore hearing. Most implanted people agree that implants helped them in their communication with others. The adults who lost their hearing later in life received more benefit from the implant because they adapted faster to the sound they remembered. Young children between two and six years old, is another group that can benefit. They are good candidates to get an implant, because children at a young age recover rapidly from the surgery, adapt to the changes faster and can learn to listen easily.
The benefits can vary, from person to person, depending on the causes of their deafness. For example, if the person was born deaf, he or she needs time to adapt to all the new exiting and different sounds she has never heard. She needs to learn about what she is hearing, and as she gets used to it she will practice how to communicate
Furthermore, every surgery has its risks. In cochlear implant surgeries most of the risks are dizziness, tongue numbness, facial paralysis, rejection of the device, or that the implant might not work making the recipient lose any residual hearing.
The cost of the surgery ranges from $50,000.00 to $91,000.00. Thus, it can be more expensive than a hearing aid, which can cost from $500.00 to $6,000.00. It will depend on the health insurance policy that can pay for the whole procedure, and in that case it will be the least expensive. Finally, the mayor benefit from the implant is that as they gain confidence and self esteem, they belong to a world they did not know, increasing their quality of life.
Appendix A
Cochlear implant - Wikipedia.
(n.d.). Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved September 13, 2009, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cochlear_implant
Cochlear Implants. (n.d.). Desert Sounds. Retrieved November 30, 2009, from http://www.desertsounds.net/cochlear_implants.html
Cochlear Implants. (n.d.). The Itinerant Connection. Retrieved November 30, 2009, from http://www.theitinerantconnection.com/cochlear_implants2.htm
Information Clearinghouse. (n.d.). Cochlear Implants. Retrieved September 13, 2009, from http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing/coch.htm#b
Appendix B
My name is Patricia N. Rodríguez Álvarez, and I study in the University of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras Campus. I’m doing a questionnaire for my report on cochlear implants, for my Business English Class. This questionnaire will help me know more about real life experiences, and understand cochlear implants better. I would appreciate if you could answer it with honesty… THANK YOU!
I. Past
A. Are you: 1. ____ deaf from birth? 2. ____ deaf for a medical reason? 3. ____ deaf for another condition?
B. If the answer is 1 (check all that apply)
____ did your parents know about cochlear implants?
____ did your parents know about hearing
aids?
____ did your parents took you to an audiologist?
C. If the answer is 2 or 3, what did your parents do when they learned that you became deaf?
D. Regardless of your hearing loss, where you able to integrate with the hearing world? 1. ____ Yes 2. ____ No
E. If the answer is yes, was it: 1. ____ Easy 2. ____ Hard
II. Present
F. When did you learn that you where a candidate for a cochlear implant? 1. ____ 20-30 years 2. ____ 31- 40 years 3. ____ 41- 50 years 4. ____ 51- 60 years 5. ____ 61 +
G. How did you learn that you where a candidate for a cochlear implant?
H. Do you have a cochlear implant? 1. ____ Yes 2. ____ No
If the answer is yes, answer the following questions; if it’s no, go to questions P and Q.
I. At what age did you have the surgery? 1. ____ 20-30 years 2. ____ 31- 40 years 3. ____ 41- 50 years 4. ____ 51- 60 years 5. ____ 61 +
J. Were there risks of having the surgery done? 1. ____ Yes 2. ____ No
If yes, what were they?
K. What was the cost of the surgery? 1. ____ $50,000- $60,000 2. ____ $61,000- $70,000 3. ____ $71,000- $80,000 4. ____ $81,000- $90,000 5. ____ $91,000 +
L. Where did you get the surgery done? (state)
M. Where there any complications during the procedure? 1. ____Yes 2. ____ No
N. Where there any complications after the procedure? 1. ____ Yes 2. ____ No
O. What have been the benefits of having a cochlear implant? (name 3 benefits)
P. Would you like to have one?
Q. Do you know what: * risks include the surgery? ____ Yes ____ No * benefits include the surgery? ____ Yes ____ No * the cost of the surgery? ____ Yes ____ No III. Future
R. If you weren’t deaf, how do you think becoming deaf will affect you?
Demographics:
Age: ________
State of residence: ________
Gender: ________
Level of hearing loss: ________
Race: ________
Appendix C
Courtesy of Sounds of Season
Appendix D
I. Past
A. Are you: 1. ____ deaf from birth? 2. ____ deaf for a medical reason? 3. _X_ deaf for another condition?
B. If the answer is 1 (check all that apply)
____ did your parents know about cochlear implants?
____ did your parents know about hearing aids?
____ did your parents took you to an audiologist?
C. If the answer is 2 or 3, what did your parents do when they learned that you became deaf? I am not deaf but hard of hearing. I still have some useful hearing (with a hearing aid) in my right ear. But my parents had my ears tested and I received 2 hearing aids when it was discovered that my hearing was starting to go at the age of 6 or 7.
D. Regardless of your hearing loss, where you able to integrate with the hearing world? 1. _X_ Yes 2. ____ No
E. If the answer is yes, was it: 1. ____ Easy 2. _X_ Hard
II. Present
F. When did you learn that you where a candidate for a cochlear implant? 1. ____ 20-30 years 2. ____ 31- 40 years 3. _X_ 41- 50 years 4. ____ 51- 60 years 5. ____ 61 +
G. How did you learn that you where a candidate for a cochlear implant?
I knew I would qualify because I could not hear well with the person standing very close but I did get tested at a cochlear implant center and they confirmed I was a candidate.
H. Do you have a cochlear implant? 1. _X_ Yes 2. ____ No
If the answer is yes, answer the following questions; if it’s no, go to questions P and Q.
I. At what age did you have the surgery? 1. ____ 20-30 years 2. ____ 31- 40 years 3. _X_ 41- 50 years 4. ____ 51- 60 years 5. ____ 61 +
J. Were there risks of having the surgery done? 1. _X_ Yes 2. ____ No
If yes, what were they? That it might not work, I would probably lose any residual hearing, dizziness, tongue numbness.
K. What was the cost of the surgery? 1. ____ $50,000- $60,000 2. ____ $61,000- $70,000 3. ____ $71,000- $80,000 4. ____ $81,000- $90,000 5. _X__ $91,000 +
L. Where did you get the surgery done? (state) New York M. Where there any complications during the procedure? 1. ____Yes 2. _X_ No
N. Where there any complications after the procedure? 1. ____ Yes 2. _X__ No
O. What have been the benefits of having a cochlear implant? (name 3 benefits)
I hear speech better. Hear better in loud places. Music is better.
P. Would you like to have one?
Q. Do you know what: * risks include the surgery? ____ Yes ____ No * benefits include the surgery? ____ Yes ____ No * the cost of the surgery? ____ Yes ____ No III. Future
R. If you weren’t deaf, how do you think becoming deaf will affect you?
Loss of independence, difficulty communicate with hearing people.
Demographics:
Age: ___48_____
State of residence: __NJ______
Gender: ____Female____
Level of hearing loss: ___Over 90 dB_____
Race: ___White_____
I. Past
A. Are you: 1. ____ deaf from birth? 2. ____ deaf for a medical reason? 3. __X__ deaf for another condition?
B. If the answer is 1 (check all that apply)
__X__ did your parents know about cochlear implants?
__X__ did your parents know about hearing aids?
__X__ did your parents took you to an audiologist?
C. If the answer is 2 or 3, what did your parents do when they learned that you became deaf? Hearing impaired, not deaf and they took me to audiologists. League for the Hard of Hearing.
D. Regardless of your hearing loss, where you able to integrate with the hearing world? 1. __X__ Yes 2. ____ No
E. If the answer is yes, was it: 1. ____ Easy 2. __X__ Hard
II. Present
F. When did you learn that you where a candidate for a cochlear implant? 1. __X__ 20-30 years 2. ____ 31- 40 years 3. ____ 41- 50 years 4. ____ 51- 60 years 5. ____ 61 +
G. How did you learn that you where a candidate for a cochlear implant?
I knew many years ago, but wires were protruding from head, so we didn’t persue it.
H. Do you have a cochlear implant? 1. __X__ Yes 2. ____ No
If the answer is yes, answer the following questions; if it’s no, go to questions P and Q.
I. At what age did you have the surgery? 1. ____ 20-30 years 2. ____ 31- 40 years 3. __X__ 41- 50 years (2) 4. ____ 51- 60 years 5. ____ 61 +
J. Were there risks of having the surgery done? 1. ____ Yes 2. __X__ No
If yes, what were they?
K. What was the cost of the surgery? 1. _X___ $50,000- $60,000 2. ____ $61,000- $70,000 3. ____ $71,000- $80,000 4. ____ $81,000- $90,000 5. ____ $91,000 +
L. Where did you get the surgery done? (state) Florida M. Where there any complications during the procedure? 1. ____Yes 2. __X__ No
N. Where there any complications after the procedure? 1. ____ Yes 2. __X__ No
O. What have been the benefits of having a cochlear implant? (name 3 benefits)
Answering the phone, hearing music and being able to hear when your name is called, there are more than 3…
P. Would you like to have one?
Q. Do you know what: * risks include the surgery? ____ Yes ____ No * benefits include the surgery? ____ Yes ____ No * the cost of the surgery? __ __ Yes ____ No
III. Future
R. If you weren’t deaf, how do you think becoming deaf will affect you?
Demographics:
Age: ___51_____
State of residence: ___FL_____
Gender: ___F_____
Level of hearing loss: ___110% DB loss prior to CI’s_____
Race: ___ will not answer___
I. Past
A. Are you: 1. ____ deaf from birth? 2. ____ deaf for a medical reason? 3. __XX__ deaf for another condition?
B. If the answer is 1 (check all that apply)
____ did your parents know about cochlear implants?
____ did your parents know about hearing aids?
____ did your parents took you to an audiologist?
C. If the answer is 2 or 3, what did your parents do when they learned that you became deaf? They urged me to learn sign language.
D. Regardless of your hearing loss, where you able to integrate with the hearing world? 1. __XX__ Yes 2. ____ No
E. If the answer is yes, was it: 1. __XX__ Easy 2. ____ Hard
II. Present
F. When did you learn that you where a candidate for a cochlear implant? 1. ____ 20-30 years 2. ____ 31- 40 years 3. ____ 41- 50 years 4. ____ 51- 60 years 5. __XX__ 61 +
G. How did you learn that you where a candidate for a cochlear implant?
The audiologist advised there was no hearing aid that could help me function as a hard of hearing person.
H. Do you have a cochlear implant? 1. __XX__ Yes 2. ____ No
If the answer is yes, answer the following questions; if it’s no, go to questions P and Q.
I. At what age did you have the surgery? 1. ____ 20-30 years 2. ____ 31- 40 years 3. ____ 41- 50 years 4. ____ 51- 60 years 5. __XX__ 61 +
J. Were there risks of having the surgery done? 1. ____ Yes 2. __XX__ No
If yes, what were they?
K. What was the cost of the surgery? unknown 1. ____ $50,000- $60,000 2. ____ $61,000- $70,000 3. ____ $71,000- $80,000 4. ____ $81,000- $90,000 5. ____ $91,000 +
L. Where did you get the surgery done? (state) New Hampshire M. Where there any complications during the procedure? 1. ____Yes 2. __XX__ No
N. Where there any complications after the procedure? 1. ____ Yes 2. __XX__ No
O. What have been the benefits of having a cochlear implant? (name 3 benefits)
Improved ability to communicate, improved quality of life, improved self esteem
P. Would you like to have one?
Q. Do you know what: * risks include the surgery? ____ Yes ____ No * benefits include the surgery? ____ Yes ____ No * the cost of the surgery? ____ Yes ____ No
III. Future
R. If you weren’t deaf, how do you think becoming deaf will affect you?
Becoming less likely to seek out companionship, lessened aggressiveness, and becoming more inward drawn.
Demographics:
Age: ____79____
State of residence: ____NH____
Gender: ____M____
Level of hearing loss: ____deaf____
Race: ____Irish/African American/American indian____
I. Past
A. Are you: 1. __X__ deaf from birth? 2. ____ deaf for a medical reason? 3. ____ deaf for another condition?
B. If the answer is 1 (check all that apply)
____ did your parents know about cochlear implants?
__X__ did your parents know about hearing aids?
__X__ did your parents took you to an audiologist?
C. If the answer is 2 or 3, what did your parents do when they learned that you became deaf?
D. Regardless of your hearing loss, where you able to integrate with the hearing world? 1. __X__ Yes 2. ____ No
E. If the answer is yes, was it: 1. ____ Easy 2. __X__ Hard
II. Present
F. When did you learn that you where a candidate for a cochlear implant? 1. ____ 20-30 years 2. ____ 31- 40 years 3. ____ 41- 50 years 4. ____ 51- 60 years 5. __X__ 61 +
G. How did you learn that you where a candidate for a cochlear implant?
Went to hearing institute in NYC and was tested. Had to “fail” test to find out I was a candidate. That’s the way it works here.
H. Do you have a cochlear implant? 1. __X__ Yes 2. ____ No
If the answer is yes, answer the following questions; if it’s no, go to questions P and Q.
I. At what age did you have the surgery? 1. ____ 20-30 years 2. ____ 31- 40 years 3. ____ 41- 50 years 4. ____ 51- 60 years 5. __X__ 61 +
J. Were there risks of having the surgery done? 1. ____ Yes 2. __X__ No
If yes, what were they?
K. What was the cost of the surgery? 1. __X__ $50,000- $60,000 2. ____ $61,000- $70,000 3. ____ $71,000- $80,000 4. ____ $81,000- $90,000 5. ____ $91,000 +
L. Where did you get the surgery done? (state) New York M. Where there any complications during the procedure? 1. ____Yes 2. __X__ No N. Where there any complications after the procedure? 1. ____ Yes 2. __X__ No
O. What have been the benefits of having a cochlear implant? (name 3 benefits)
Better overall hearing, not as shy about meeting new people as was before getting implant, more confidence.
P. Would you like to have one?
Q. Do you know what: * risks include the surgery? ____ Yes ____ No * benefits include the surgery? ____ Yes ____ No * the cost of the surgery? ____ Yes ____ No
III. Future
R. If you weren’t deaf, how do you think becoming deaf will affect you?
Demographics:
Age: ____65____
State of residence: ____NY____
Gender: ____F____
Level of hearing loss: ____profound____
Race: ____caucasian____
I. Past
A. Are you: 1. ____ deaf from birth? 2. ____ deaf for a medical reason? 3. _X___ deaf for another condition?
B. If the answer is 1 (check all that apply)
____ did your parents know about cochlear implants?
____ did your parents know about hearing aids?
____ did your parents took you to an audiologist?
C. If the answer is 2 or 3, what did your parents do when they learned that you became deaf? I was an adult when I became deaf but my family including my mother would not accept it for a long time.
D. Regardless of your hearing loss, where you able to integrate with the hearing world? 1. __X__ Yes 2. ____ No
E. If the answer is yes, was it: 1. ____ Easy 2. _X___ Hard
II. Present
F. When did you learn that you where a candidate for a cochlear implant? 1. ____ 20-30 years 2. __X__ 31- 40 years 3. ____ 41- 50 years 4. ____ 51- 60 years 5. ____ 61 +
G. How did you learn that you where a candidate for a cochlear implant?
I was told long before I got my implant that I was a candidate, actually when they first came out but insurance would not pay for it as they considered it to be an experiment.
H. Do you have a cochlear implant? 1. __X__ Yes 2. ____ No
If the answer is yes, answer the following questions; if it’s no, go to questions P and Q. I. At what age did you have the surgery? 1. ____ 20-30 years 2. ____ 31- 40 years 3. ____ 41- 50 years 4. __X__ 51- 60 years 5. ____ 61 +
J. Were there risks of having the surgery done? 1. _X___ Yes 2. ____ No
If yes, what were they? Might not work, could paralyze face, other complications
K. What was the cost of the surgery? 1. ____ $50,000- $60,000 2. ____ $61,000- $70,000 3. ____ $71,000- $80,000 4. _X___ $81,000- $90,000 5. ____ $91,000 +
L. Where did you get the surgery done? (state) Pennsylvania M. Where there any complications during the procedure? 1. ____Yes 2. __X__ No N. Where there any complications after the procedure? 1. ____ Yes 2. _X___ No
O. What have been the benefits of having a cochlear implant? (name 3 benefits)
I am able to hear and understand one on one, I can take part in activities that I was unable to do as a deaf person, I can talk and hear some people on the telephone.
P. Would you like to have one?
Q. Do you know what: * risks include the surgery? ____ Yes ____ No * benefits include the surgery? ____ Yes ____ No * the cost of the surgery? ____ Yes ____ No
III. Future
R. If you weren’t deaf, how do you think becoming deaf will affect you?
I know how it affects you, you are isolated from family and friends, it is very hard to get a job, you cannot go to movies or talk on the telephone. You are afraid and lonely.
Demographics:
Age: __66______
State of residence: __Pennsylvania______
Gender: _F_______
Level of hearing loss: _Deaf both ears_______
Race: __White______
I. Past
A. Are you: 1. ____ deaf from birth? 2. __X__ deaf for a medical reason? 3. ____ deaf for another condition?
B. If the answer is 1 (check all that apply)
____ did your parents know about cochlear implants?
____ did your parents know about hearing aids?
____ did your parents took you to an audiologist?
C. If the answer is 2 or 3, what did your parents do when they learned that you became deaf? They took me to several ear doctors. I got a hearing aid at 6 years old and a second hearing aid at 10 years old.
D. Regardless of your hearing loss, where you able to integrate with the hearing world? 1. __X__ Yes 2. ____ No
E. If the answer is yes, was it: 1. ____ Easy 2. __X__ Hard
II. Present
F. When did you learn that you where a candidate for a cochlear implant? 1. ____ 20-30 years 2. ____ 31- 40 years 3. __X__ 41- 50 years 4. ____ 51- 60 years 5. ____ 61 +
G. How did you learn that you where a candidate for a cochlear implant?
Testing at Ear Doctor’s Office
H. Do you have a cochlear implant? 1. __X__ Yes – I have 2 Cochlear Implants. 2. ____ No
If the answer is yes, answer the following questions; if it’s no, go to questions P and Q.
I. At what age did you have the surgery? 1. ____ 20-30 years 2. ____ 31- 40 years 3. __X__ 41- 50 years 4. ____ 51- 60 years 5. ____ 61 +
J. Were there risks of having the surgery done? 1. _X___ Yes 2. ____ No
If yes, what were they? Facial paralysis, losing all residual hearing in the implanted ear, losing taste on the side of the tongue where the implant was placed, numbness in the earlobe and the side of the head around the implant.
K. What was the cost of the surgery? 1. ____ $50,000- $60,000 2. ____ $61,000- $70,000 3. ____ $71,000- $80,000 4. ____ $81,000- $90,000 5. _X___ $91,000 +
L. Where did you get the surgery done? (state) Colorado
M. Where there any complications during the procedure? 3. ____Yes 4. __X__ No
N. Where there any complications after the procedure? 3. ____ Yes 4. __X__ No
O. What have been the benefits of having a cochlear implant? (name 3 benefits)
I can hear A LOT better. My life is much better. I am happier because I can hear well. Hearing better helps me at my job.
P. Would you like to have one?
Q. Do you know what: * risks include the surgery? ____ Yes ____ No * benefits include the surgery? ____ Yes ____ No * the cost of the surgery? ____ Yes ____ No
III. Future
R. If you weren’t deaf, how do you think becoming deaf will affect you?
Being Deaf isolates one from people and the world around you. People are not nice and they don’t want to include you in things even when you are trying your best to be integrated in the hearing world. Hearing people give you the indication that you are a nuisance just because you want to know what is going on and you ask others to repeat. Your family treats you like you are a nuisance.
Demographics:
Age: _49_______
State of residence: __Colorado______
Gender: __Female______
Level of hearing loss: __Profound______
Race: __White______
I. Past
A. Are you: 1. ____ deaf from birth? 2. _X___ deaf for a medical reason? 3. ____ deaf for another condition?
B. If the answer is 1 (check all that apply)
____ did your parents know about cochlear implants?
____ did your parents know about hearing aids?
____ did your parents took you to an audiologist?
C. If the answer is 2 or 3, what did your parents do when they learned that you became deaf? I lost hearing gradually – they got me hearing aids as soon as I was diagnosed with hearing loss
D. Regardless of your hearing loss, where you able to integrate with the hearing world? 1. __X__ Yes 2. ____ No
E. If the answer is yes, was it: 1. ____ Easy 2. ____ Hard
My loss was gradual over a lifetime – there is not an answer for this question that’s simple.
II. Present
F. When did you learn that you where a candidate for a cochlear implant? 1. ____ 20-30 years 2. ____ 31- 40 years 3. ____ 41- 50 years 4. ___X_ 51- 60 years 5. ____ 61 +
G. How did you learn that you where a candidate for a cochlear implant? Talking to people online convinced me to make an appointment with a new audiology clinic and go for an evaluation.
H. Do you have a cochlear implant? 1. __X__ Yes 2. ____ No
If the answer is yes, answer the following questions; if it’s no, go to questions P and Q.
I. At what age did you have the surgery? 1. ____ 20-30 years 2. ____ 31- 40 years 3. ____ 41- 50 years 4. __X__ 51- 60 years 5. ____ 61 +
J. Were there risks of having the surgery done? 1. __X__ Yes 2. ____ No
If yes, what were they? Loss of residual hearing, loss of taste, facial paralysis, risk from anesthesia – same as any surgery, risk of death from complication – same as any surgery.
K. What was the cost of the surgery? 1. ___X_ $50,000- $60,000 2. ____ $61,000- $70,000 3. ____ $71,000- $80,000 4. ____ $81,000- $90,000 5. ____ $91,000 +
L. Where did you get the surgery done? (state) TN, United States of America M. Where there any complications during the procedure? 1. ____Yes 2. __X__ No N. Where there any complications after the procedure? 1. __X__ Yes 2. ____ No
O. What have been the benefits of having a cochlear implant? (name 3 benefits)
I can hear and understand spoken words, safety, social interaction is much better.
P. Would you like to have one?
Q. Do you know what: * risks include the surgery? ____ Yes ____ No * benefits include the surgery? ____ Yes ____ No * the cost of the surgery? ____ Yes ____ No
III. Future
R. If you weren’t deaf, how do you think becoming deaf will affect you?
Demographics:
Age: ______55__
State of residence: ___TN_____
Gender: ____F____
Level of hearing loss: _____before my implants 90 to 95 db___
Race: _____W___
I. Past
A. Are you: 1. ____ deaf from birth? 2. ____ deaf for a medical reason? 3. __x__ deaf for another condition?
B. If the answer is 1 (check all that apply)
____ did your parents know about cochlear implants?
____ did your parents know about hearing aids?
____ did your parents took you to an audiologist?
C. If the answer is 2 or 3, what did your parents do when they learned that you became deaf? This was a long time ago. My parents took me to an ear specialist.
D. Regardless of your hearing loss, where you able to integrate with the hearing world? 1. ___x_ Yes 2. ____ No
E. If the answer is yes, was it: 1. ____ Easy 2. ___x_ Hard
II. Present
F. When did you learn that you where a candidate for a cochlear implant? 1. ____ 20-30 years 2. ____ 31- 40 years 3. ____ 41- 50 years 4. ____ 51- 60 years 5. ___x_ 61 +
G. How did you learn that you where a candidate for a cochlear implant?
I wore hearing aids for 50 years. My hearing aids stopped helping me. I went to the ENT and he said, “The time has come for a Cochlear Implant”.
H. Do you have a cochlear implant? 1. ___x_ Yes 2. ____ No
If the answer is yes, answer the following questions; if it’s no, go to questions P and Q. I. At what age did you have the surgery? 1. ____ 20-30 years 2. ____ 31- 40 years 3. ____ 41- 50 years 4. ____ 51- 60 years 5. __x__ 61 +
J. Were there risks of having the surgery done? 1. ___x Yes 2. ____ No
If yes, what were they? Facial paralyses. Failure of implant.
K. What was the cost of the surgery? 1. ____ $50,000- $60,000 2. ____ $61,000- $70,000 3. __x__ $71,000- $80,000 4. ____ $81,000- $90,000 5. ____ $91,000 +
L. Where did you get the surgery done? (state) Texas M. Where there any complications during the procedure? 1. ____Yes 2. ___x_ No
N. Where there any complications after the procedure? 1. ____ Yes 2. __x__ No
O. What have been the benefits of having a cochlear implant? (name 3 benefits)
I can hear. I was so excited about being able to hear I started a Cochlear Implant support group because I wanted everyone to hear as well as I heard.
I can be independent. I can help others realize how a Cochlear Implant can help them.
P. Would you like to have one?
Q. Do you know what: * risks include the surgery? ____ Yes ____ No * benefits include the surgery? ____ Yes ____ No * the cost of the surgery? ____ Yes ____ No
III. Future
R. If you weren’t deaf, how do you think becoming deaf will affect you?
It would be a shock to learn to live in a non hearing world.
Demographics:
Age: ___79_____
State of residence: ____Texas____
Gender: ___F____
Level of hearing loss: _Deaf with Cochlear Implants____
Race: _____W___
I. Past
A. Are you: 1. ____ deaf from birth? 2. ____ deaf for a medical reason? 3. __X__ deaf for another condition?
B. If the answer is 1 (check all that apply) NA
____ did your parents know about cochlear implants?
____ did your parents know about hearing aids?
____ did your parents took you to an audiologist?
C. If the answer is 2 or 3, what did your parents do when they learned that you became deaf? N/A
D. Regardless of your hearing loss, where you able to integrate with the hearing world? 3. ____ Yes 4. __X__ No
E. If the answer is yes, was it: 3. ____ Easy 4. ____ Hard
II. Present
F. When did you learn that you where a candidate for a cochlear implant? 6. ____ 20-30 years 7. ____ 31- 40 years 8. ____ 41- 50 years 9. __X__ 51- 60 years 10. ____ 61 +
G. How did you learn that you where a candidate for a cochlear implant?
Hearing aids did not help to understand speech. They just made everything loud.
H. Do you have a cochlear implant? 3. __X__ Yes 4. ____ No
If the answer is yes, answer the following questions; if it’s no, go to questions P and Q.
I. At what age did you have the surgery? 6. ____ 20-30 years 7. ____ 31- 40 years 8. ____ 41- 50 years 9. __X__ 51- 60 years 10. ____ 61 +
J. Were there risks of having the surgery done? 3. ___X_ Yes 4. ____ No
If yes, what were they? Every surgery has risks but for CI they are minimal
K. What was the cost of the surgery? 6. ____ $50,000- $60,000 7. ____ $61,000- $70,000 8. ____ $71,000- $80,000 9. ____ $81,000- $90,000 10. __X__ $91,000 +
L. Where did you get the surgery done? (state) Florida M. Where there any complications during the procedure? 5. ____Yes 6. __X__ No
N. Where there any complications after the procedure? 5. ____ Yes 6. __X__ No
O. What have been the benefits of having a cochlear implant? (name 3 benefits)
I can once again use the telephone, understand the spoken word and enjoy everything life has to offer.
P. Would you like to have one?
Q. Do you know what: * risks include the surgery? ____ Yes ____ No * benefits include the surgery? ____ Yes ____ No * the cost of the surgery? ____ Yes ____ No
III. Future
R. If you weren’t deaf, how do you think becoming deaf will affect you?
I experienced sudden deafness and becoming deaf was devastating. It affected my professional, social and family life.
Demographics:
Age: ____68____
State of residence: ___Florida_____
Gender: ___F_____
Level of hearing loss: ___deaf_____
Race: ___Caucasian_____
I. Past
A. Are you: 1. ____ deaf from birth? 2. __x__ deaf for a medical reason? 3. ____ deaf for another condition?
B. If the answer is 1 (check all that apply)
____ did your parents know about cochlear implants?
____ did your parents know about hearing aids?
____ did your parents took you to an audiologist?
C. If the answer is 2 or 3, what did your parents do when they learned that you became deaf? I was an adult.
D. Regardless of your hearing loss, where you able to integrate with the hearing world? 1. _X___ Yes 2. ____ No
E. If the answer is yes, was it: 1. X____ Easy 2. ____ Hard
II. Present
F. When did you learn that you where a candidate for a cochlear implant? 1. ____ 20-30 years 2. ____ 31- 40 years 3. ____ 41- 50 years 4. ____ 51- 60 years 5. _X___ 61 +
G. How did you learn that you where a candidate for a cochlear implant?
H. Do you have a cochlear implant? 1. _X___ Yes 2. ____ No
If the answer is yes, answer the following questions; if it’s no, go to questions P and Q.
I. At what age did you have the surgery? 1. ____ 20-30 years 2. ____ 31- 40 years 3. ____ 41- 50 years 4. ____ 51- 60 years 5. _X___ 61 +
J. Were there risks of having the surgery done? 1. _x___ Yes 2. ____ No
If yes, what were they? Every surgery has its risks
K. What was the cost of the surgery? 1. ____ $50,000- $60,000 2. ____ $61,000- $70,000 3. ____ $71,000- $80,000 4. ____ $81,000- $90,000 5. ____ $91,000 +
L. Where did you get the surgery done? (state) New York
M. Where there any complications during the procedure? 1. ____Yes 2. X____ No
N. Where there any complications after the procedure? 1. ____ Yes 2. x____ No
O. What have been the benefits of having a cochlear implant? (name 3 benefits)
Go to the theater and hear. I hear at meetings. I hear my friends much better and hear inside a moving vehicle!!!
P. Would you like to have one?
Q. Do you know what: * risks include the surgery? ____ Yes ____ No * benefits include the surgery? ____ Yes ____ No * the cost of the surgery? ____ Yes ____ No
III. Future
R. If you weren’t deaf, how do you think becoming deaf will affect you?
Demographics:
Age: __63______
State of residence: _NJ_______
Gender: F________
Level of hearing loss: 20 or 40 %______
Race: __Caucasian______
I. Past
A. Are you: 1. ____ deaf from birth? 2. ____ deaf for a medical reason? 3. __X__ deaf for another condition?
B. If the answer is 1(check all that apply)
____ did your parents know about cochlear implants?
____ did your parents know about hearing aids?
____ did your parents took you to an audiologist?
C. If the answer is 2 or 3, what did your parents do when they learned that you became deaf? Hearing loss noticed at age 7, hearing aids at 17, profound deafness noticed at adult age.
D. Regardless of your hearing loss, where you able to integrate with the hearing world? 1. __x__ Yes 2. ____ No
E. If the answer is yes, was it: 1. ____ Easy 2. __x__ Hard
II. Present
F. When did you learn that you where a candidate for a cochlear implant? 1. ____ 20-30 years 2. ____ 31- 40 years 3. __x__ 41- 50 years 4. ____ 51- 60 years 5. ____ 61 +
G. How did you learn that you where a candidate for a cochlear implant?
H. Do you have a cochlear implant? 1. __x__ Yes 2. ____ No
If the answer is yes, answer the following questions; if it’s no, go to questions P and Q.
I. At what age did you have the surgery? 1. ____ 20-30 years 2. ____ 31- 40 years 3. __x__ 41- 50 years 4. ____ 51- 60 years 5. ____ 61 +
J. Were there risks of having the surgery done? 1. __x__ Yes 2. ____ No
If yes, what were they?
K. What was the cost of the surgery? 1. ____ $50,000- $60,000 2. ____ $61,000- $70,000 3. __x__ $71,000- $80,000 4. ____ $81,000- $90,000 5. ____ $91,000 +
L. Where did you get the surgery done? (state) Ohio M. Where there any complications during the procedure? 1. ____Yes 2. __x__ No N. Where there any complications after the procedure? 1. __x__ Yes 2. ____ No
O. What have been the benefits of having a cochlear implant? (name 3 benefits)
Being able to hear, associate with others, feeling like I belong again.
P. Would you like to have one?
Q. Do you know what: * risks include the surgery? ____ Yes ____ No * benefits include the surgery? ____ Yes ____ No * the cost of the surgery? ____ Yes ____ No
III. Future
R. If you weren’t deaf, how do you think becoming deaf will affect you?
Demographics:
Age: ____52____
State of residence: ___Ohio_____
Gender: ____M____
Level of hearing loss: ____profound____
Race: ____white____
I. Past
A. Are you: 1. __x__ deaf from birth? 2. ____ deaf for a medical reason? 3. ____ deaf for another condition?
B. If the answer is 1 (check all that apply)
____ did your parents know about cochlear implants?
__x__ did your parents know about hearing aids?
__x__ did your parents took you to an audiologist?
C. If the answer is 2 or 3, what did your parents do when they learned that you became deaf? When Linda was about 18 months of age, the parents realized that she was blind. Some unknown time after that, they found out she was also profoundly deaf.
D. Regardless of your hearing loss, where you able to integrate with the hearing world? 1. __x__ Yes 2. ____ No
E. If the answer is yes, was it: 1. ____ Easy 2. __x__ Hard
II. Present
F. When did you learn that you where a candidate for a cochlear implant? 1. ____ 20-30 years 2. ____ 31- 40 years 3. __x__ 41- 50 years 4. ____ 51- 60 years 5. ____ 61 +
G. How did you learn that you where a candidate for a cochlear implant?
She was told about the cochlear implants by a friend. She investigated and then got an appointment with a cochlear implant surgeon, and the audiologist met us at the ENT center. The audiologist conducted two hearing test.
H. Do you have a cochlear implant? 1. __x__ Yes 2. ____ No
If the answer is yes, answer the following questions; if it’s no, go to questions P and Q.
I. At what age did you have the surgery? 1. ____ 20-30 years 2. ____ 31- 40 years 3. __x__ 41- 50 years 4. ____ 51- 60 years 5. ____ 61 +
J. Were there risks of having the surgery done? 1. __x__ Yes 2. ____ No
If yes, what were they? There are risks in every surgery.
K. What was the cost of the surgery? Unknown, medical insurance covered it all. 1. ____ $50,000- $60,000 2. ____ $61,000- $70,000 3. ____ $71,000- $80,000 4. ____ $81,000- $90,000 5. ____ $91,000 +
L. Where did you get the surgery done? (state) Florida M. Where there any complications during the procedure? 7. ____Yes 8. __x__ No
N. Where there any complications after the procedure? 7. ____ Yes 8. __x__ No
O. What have been the benefits of having a cochlear implant? (name 3 benefits)
As a blind and deaf person, she can conduct her business via telephone, also she can communicate via telephone with her relatives, since having bilateral hearing (cochlear implants on both ears) she knows from where the sound is coming.
P. Would you like to have one?
Q. Do you know what: * risks include the surgery? ____ Yes ____ No * benefits include the surgery? ____ Yes ____ No * the cost of the surgery? ____ Yes ____ No
III. Future
R. If you weren’t deaf, how do you think becoming deaf will affect you?
Demographics:
Age: ____52____
State of residence: ___FL_____
Gender: ____F____
Level of hearing loss: ____100%____
Race: ___caucasian_____
I. Past
A. Are you: 1. ____ deaf from birth? 2. ____ deaf for a medical reason? 3. __X__ deaf for another condition?
B. If the answer is 1 (check all that apply)
____ did your parents know about cochlear implants?
____ did your parents know about hearing aids?
____ did your parents took you to an audiologist?
C. If the answer is 2 or 3, what did your parents do when they learned that you became deaf? I was an adult when I lost my hearing, age 38.
D. Regardless of your hearing loss, where you able to integrate with the hearing world? 1. __X__ Yes 2. ____ No
E. If the answer is yes, was it: 1. ____ Easy 2. __X__ Hard
II. Present
F. When did you learn that you where a candidate for a cochlear implant? 11. ____ 20-30 years 12. ____ 31- 40 years 13. __X__ 41- 50 years 14. ____ 51- 60 years 15. ____ 61 +
G. How did you learn that you where a candidate for a cochlear implant?
My audiologist told me after testing for it.
H. Do you have a cochlear implant? 5. _X___ Yes 6. ____ No
If the answer is yes, answer the following questions; if it’s no, go to questions P and Q.
I. At what age did you have the surgery? 11. ____ 20-30 years 12. ____ 31- 40 years 13. _X___ 41- 50 years 14. ____ 51- 60 years 15. ____ 61 +
J. Were there risks of having the surgery done? 1. __X__ Yes 2. ____ No
If yes, what were they? No guarantees it would work; rejection of the device; a failed device; infection.
K. What was the cost of the surgery? 1. __X__ $50,000- $60,000 2. ____ $61,000- $70,000 3. ____ $71,000- $80,000 4. ____ $81,000- $90,000 5. ____ $91,000 +
L. Where did you get the surgery done? (state) California
M. Where there any complications during the procedure? 1. __X__ Yes 2. ____ No
N. Where there any complications after the procedure? 1. ____ Yes 2. __X__ No
O. What have been the benefits of having a cochlear implant? (name 3 benefits)
Clear, precise speech comprehension; an improvement in the workplace, being able to do my job with ease; improvement in my social life, no more isolation.
P. Would you like to have one?
Q. Do you know what: * risks include the surgery? ____ Yes ____ No * benefits include the surgery? ____ Yes ____ No * the cost of the surgery? ____ Yes ____ No
III. Future
R. If you weren’t deaf, how do you think becoming deaf will affect you?
Losing my hearing and walking a deaf journey has made me a better, kinder, more compassionate person, and an advocate for disabled.
Demographics:
Age: _____55___
State of residence: __CA______
Gender: ___F_____
Level of hearing loss: ___100% without equipment_____
Race: ___Black_____
I. Past
A. Are you: 4. ____ deaf from birth? 5. __X__ deaf for a medical reason? 6. ____ deaf for another condition?
B. If the answer is 1 (check all that apply)
____ did your parents know about cochlear implants?
____ did your parents know about hearing aids?
____ did your parents took you to an audiologist? C. If the answer is 2 or 3, what did your parents do when they learned that you became deaf? Hearing loss in my 20s, researched on my own.
D. Regardless of your hearing loss, where you able to integrate with the hearing world? 5. ___X_ Yes 6. ____ No
E. If the answer is yes, was it: 5. ____ Easy 6. __X__ Hard
II. Present
F. When did you learn that you where a candidate for a cochlear implant? 1. ____ 20-30 years 2. __X__ 31- 40 years 3. ____ 41- 50 years 4. ____ 51- 60 years 5. ____ 61 +
G. How did you learn that you where a candidate for a cochlear implant?
Audiogram
H. Do you have a cochlear implant? 7. __X__ Yes 8. ____ No
If the answer is yes, answer the following questions; if it’s no, go to questions P and Q.
I. At what age did you have the surgery? 16. ____ 20-30 years 17. ____ 31- 40 years 18. __x__ 41- 50 years 19. ____ 51- 60 years 20. ____ 61 +
J. Were there risks of having the surgery done? 1. __X__ Yes 2. ____ No
If yes, what were they?
K. What was the cost of the surgery? 1. _X___ $50,000- $60,000 2. ____ $61,000- $70,000 3. ____ $71,000- $80,000 4. ____ $81,000- $90,000 5. ____ $91,000 +
L. Where did you get the surgery done? (state) New York M. Where there any complications during the procedure? 9. ____Yes 10. ___X_ No
N. Where there any complications after the procedure? 9. ____ Yes 10. ___X_ No
O. What have been the benefits of having a cochlear implant? (name 3 benefits)
Can hear everything again: telephone, radio, television, speech!
P. Would you like to have one?
Q. Do you know what: * risks include the surgery? ____ Yes ____ No * benefits include the surgery? ____ Yes ____ No * the cost of the surgery? ____ Yes ____ No
III. Future
R. If you weren’t deaf, how do you think becoming deaf will affect you?
Demographics:
Age: ___43_____
State of residence: ____NJ____
Gender: ____F____
Level of hearing loss: ___deaf in CI ear_____
Race: ____rainbow____
hearing aids are an electro acoustic body worn apparatus which typically fits in or behind the wearer's ear, designed to only amplify and modulate sounds for the wearer. In accordance, with the Itinerant Connection (2009), they are clearly not the same.
In the seventies, in Australia and Austria, there were two groups of scientists working on the development of the multichannel Cochlear Implant. On December 16, 1977, Prof. Kurt Burian implanted a multichannel cochlear implant, device that was developed by the Scientists Ingeborg and Erwin Hochmair. In December 1984, the Australian cochlear implant was approved by the Food and Drug Administration to be implanted in adults in the United States.
According to Desert Sounds (2009), an implant consists of an external portion that sits behind the ear, and a second portion that is surgically placed under the skin. An implant has the following parts: 1) a microphone, which picks up sound from the environment; 2) a speech processor, which selects and arranges sounds picked up by the microphone; 3) a transmitter and receiver/stimulator, which receive signals from the speech processor and convert them into electric impulses; and, 4) an electrode array, which is a group of electrodes that collects the impulses from the stimulator and sends them to different regions of the auditory nerve. Concurring with the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (August, 2009), cochlear implants bypass damaged portions of the ear and directly stimulate the auditory nerve. Signals generated by the implant are sent by way of the auditory nerve to the brain, which acknowledges the signals as sound.
Cochlear implants are designed for people who don’t gain benefits from hearing aids. The surgery is done under general anesthesia and lasts from two to three hours. One interesting detail is that hearing through a cochlear implant takes time to adapt. Finally, this little in size but big advance in technology, device has many deaf people receiving the benefits of enjoying a conversation.
The cochlear implant surgery for profoundly deaf or with no hearing, is done in developed countries worldwide. Even though it’s a very expensive procedure, many deaf people have done it. Due to the high cost of the device, surgery and post-implantation therapy you have to go through a process to see if you are candidate for the procedure.
There are two types of cochlear implants: the intra-cochlear implant and the extra-cochlear implant. In both cases, the implant may be of single channel or multiple channel type. In single-channel implants only one electrode is used, whereas in multi-channel cochlear implants, an electrode array is inserted in the cochlea so that different auditory nerve fibers can be stimulated at different places in the cochlea. This investigation is focused in fourteen deaf people that live in the United States, and are deaf from birth, for medical reasons or other conditions.
Preliminary research includes questions to: people that had the surgery done, family members and some college friends on what they knew about cochlear implants. Secondary research includes articles on the web about: news of the implant; news of companies that manufacture the device; websites specialized on cochlear implant; and websites, like Wikipedia, that define and give you general information of the implant. Also, via email, an open and closed format questionnaire was conducted for primary research to the fourteen people.
It is important to know how the people became deaf to help understand the benefits they received from having the surgery. The questionnaire will reflect the changes in lifestyles that each one went through.
One of the findings that the questionnaire provided was how they became deaf. Eight of the fourteen people or 57% said that they lost their hearing gradually. Four people, that is 29%, lost their hearing because of medical reasons, and two people, 14%, were born deaf.
The cost of the cochlear implant surgery varies from $50,000 to $91,000 depending on the medical health insurance. In some cases, it covers all the costs, in others just a percent of the total. Depending on the location, the doctor and the kind of implant the costs will vary.
The findings from the questionnaire show, as you can see on the pie chart, that the 37% represents the average cost of $50,000 to $60,000, in other words five people paid that amount. Next, 21% of the sample, which is three people, paid more than $91,000. Luckily, three people, 21% of the sample, were fully covered by the health insurance, which paid the total amount. On the other hand, 14% of the sample or two people paid the amount of $71,000 to $80,000. Finally, $81,000 to $90,000 was the cost that one person, the 7% of the sample, paid.
The demographic table below shows the age, gender, race and state of residence of the fourteen people that were questioned about their experience with their implants.
Demographics
| Age | Gender | Race | State of Residence | Person 1 | 79 | M | African American | NH | Person 2 | 48 | F | White | NJ | Person 3 | 66 | F | White | PA | Person 4 | 49 | F | White | CO | Person 5 | 55 | F | White | TN | Person 6 | 79 | F | White | TX | Person 7 | 52 | F | White | OH | Person 8 | 65 | F | Caucasian | NY | Person 9 | 68 | F | Caucasian | FL | Person 10 | 63 | F | Caucasian | NJ | Person 11 | 52 | F | Caucasian | FL | Person 12 | 55 | F | Black | CA | Person 13 | 43 | F | Rainbow | NJ | Person 14 | 51 | F | Will not answer | FL |
Of the fourteen people interviewed, the table above shows the age range is from 43 to 79 years. Most of the people were females. There is a balance between caucasian and white people in the race column. All are residents of the United States.
In conclusion, a cochlear implant does not restore hearing. Most implanted people agree that implants helped them in their communication with others. The adults who lost their hearing later in life received more benefit from the implant because they adapted faster to the sound they remembered. Young children between two and six years old, is another group that can benefit. They are good candidates to get an implant, because children at a young age recover rapidly from the surgery, adapt to the changes faster and can learn to listen easily.
The benefits can vary, from person to person, depending on the causes of their deafness. For example, if the person was born deaf, he or she needs time to adapt to all the new exiting and different sounds she has never heard. She needs to learn about what she is hearing, and as she gets used to it she will practice how to communicate
Furthermore, every surgery has its risks. In cochlear implant surgeries most of the risks are dizziness, tongue numbness, facial paralysis, rejection of the device, or that the implant might not work making the recipient lose any residual hearing.
The cost of the surgery ranges from $50,000.00 to $91,000.00. Thus, it can be more expensive than a hearing aid, which can cost from $500.00 to $6,000.00. It will depend on the health insurance policy that can pay for the whole procedure, and in that case it will be the least expensive. Finally, the mayor benefit from the implant is that as they gain confidence and self esteem, they belong to a world they did not know, increasing their quality of life.
Appendix A
Cochlear implant - Wikipedia.
(n.d.). Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved September 13, 2009, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cochlear_implant
Cochlear Implants. (n.d.). Desert Sounds. Retrieved November 30, 2009, from http://www.desertsounds.net/cochlear_implants.html
Cochlear Implants. (n.d.). The Itinerant Connection. Retrieved November 30, 2009, from http://www.theitinerantconnection.com/cochlear_implants2.htm
Information Clearinghouse. (n.d.). Cochlear Implants. Retrieved September 13, 2009, from http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing/coch.htm#b
Appendix B
My name is Patricia N. Rodríguez Álvarez, and I study in the University of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras Campus. I’m doing a questionnaire for my report on cochlear implants, for my Business English Class. This questionnaire will help me know more about real life experiences, and understand cochlear implants better. I would appreciate if you could answer it with honesty… THANK YOU!
I. Past
A. Are you: 1. ____ deaf from birth? 2. ____ deaf for a medical reason? 3. ____ deaf for another condition?
B. If the answer is 1 (check all that apply)
____ did your parents know about cochlear implants?
____ did your parents know about hearing
aids?
____ did your parents took you to an audiologist?
C. If the answer is 2 or 3, what did your parents do when they learned that you became deaf?
D. Regardless of your hearing loss, where you able to integrate with the hearing world? 1. ____ Yes 2. ____ No
E. If the answer is yes, was it: 1. ____ Easy 2. ____ Hard
II. Present
F. When did you learn that you where a candidate for a cochlear implant? 1. ____ 20-30 years 2. ____ 31- 40 years 3. ____ 41- 50 years 4. ____ 51- 60 years 5. ____ 61 +
G. How did you learn that you where a candidate for a cochlear implant?
H. Do you have a cochlear implant? 1. ____ Yes 2. ____ No
If the answer is yes, answer the following questions; if it’s no, go to questions P and Q.
I. At what age did you have the surgery? 1. ____ 20-30 years 2. ____ 31- 40 years 3. ____ 41- 50 years 4. ____ 51- 60 years 5. ____ 61 +
J. Were there risks of having the surgery done? 1. ____ Yes 2. ____ No
If yes, what were they?
K. What was the cost of the surgery? 1. ____ $50,000- $60,000 2. ____ $61,000- $70,000 3. ____ $71,000- $80,000 4. ____ $81,000- $90,000 5. ____ $91,000 +
L. Where did you get the surgery done? (state)
M. Where there any complications during the procedure? 1. ____Yes 2. ____ No
N. Where there any complications after the procedure? 1. ____ Yes 2. ____ No
O. What have been the benefits of having a cochlear implant? (name 3 benefits)
P. Would you like to have one?
Q. Do you know what: * risks include the surgery? ____ Yes ____ No * benefits include the surgery? ____ Yes ____ No * the cost of the surgery? ____ Yes ____ No III. Future
R. If you weren’t deaf, how do you think becoming deaf will affect you?
Demographics:
Age: ________
State of residence: ________
Gender: ________
Level of hearing loss: ________
Race: ________
Appendix C
Courtesy of Sounds of Season
Appendix D
I. Past
A. Are you: 1. ____ deaf from birth? 2. ____ deaf for a medical reason? 3. _X_ deaf for another condition?
B. If the answer is 1 (check all that apply)
____ did your parents know about cochlear implants?
____ did your parents know about hearing aids?
____ did your parents took you to an audiologist?
C. If the answer is 2 or 3, what did your parents do when they learned that you became deaf? I am not deaf but hard of hearing. I still have some useful hearing (with a hearing aid) in my right ear. But my parents had my ears tested and I received 2 hearing aids when it was discovered that my hearing was starting to go at the age of 6 or 7.
D. Regardless of your hearing loss, where you able to integrate with the hearing world? 1. _X_ Yes 2. ____ No
E. If the answer is yes, was it: 1. ____ Easy 2. _X_ Hard
II. Present
F. When did you learn that you where a candidate for a cochlear implant? 1. ____ 20-30 years 2. ____ 31- 40 years 3. _X_ 41- 50 years 4. ____ 51- 60 years 5. ____ 61 +
G. How did you learn that you where a candidate for a cochlear implant?
I knew I would qualify because I could not hear well with the person standing very close but I did get tested at a cochlear implant center and they confirmed I was a candidate.
H. Do you have a cochlear implant? 1. _X_ Yes 2. ____ No
If the answer is yes, answer the following questions; if it’s no, go to questions P and Q.
I. At what age did you have the surgery? 1. ____ 20-30 years 2. ____ 31- 40 years 3. _X_ 41- 50 years 4. ____ 51- 60 years 5. ____ 61 +
J. Were there risks of having the surgery done? 1. _X_ Yes 2. ____ No
If yes, what were they? That it might not work, I would probably lose any residual hearing, dizziness, tongue numbness.
K. What was the cost of the surgery? 1. ____ $50,000- $60,000 2. ____ $61,000- $70,000 3. ____ $71,000- $80,000 4. ____ $81,000- $90,000 5. _X__ $91,000 +
L. Where did you get the surgery done? (state) New York M. Where there any complications during the procedure? 1. ____Yes 2. _X_ No
N. Where there any complications after the procedure? 1. ____ Yes 2. _X__ No
O. What have been the benefits of having a cochlear implant? (name 3 benefits)
I hear speech better. Hear better in loud places. Music is better.
P. Would you like to have one?
Q. Do you know what: * risks include the surgery? ____ Yes ____ No * benefits include the surgery? ____ Yes ____ No * the cost of the surgery? ____ Yes ____ No III. Future
R. If you weren’t deaf, how do you think becoming deaf will affect you?
Loss of independence, difficulty communicate with hearing people.
Demographics:
Age: ___48_____
State of residence: __NJ______
Gender: ____Female____
Level of hearing loss: ___Over 90 dB_____
Race: ___White_____
I. Past
A. Are you: 1. ____ deaf from birth? 2. ____ deaf for a medical reason? 3. __X__ deaf for another condition?
B. If the answer is 1 (check all that apply)
__X__ did your parents know about cochlear implants?
__X__ did your parents know about hearing aids?
__X__ did your parents took you to an audiologist?
C. If the answer is 2 or 3, what did your parents do when they learned that you became deaf? Hearing impaired, not deaf and they took me to audiologists. League for the Hard of Hearing.
D. Regardless of your hearing loss, where you able to integrate with the hearing world? 1. __X__ Yes 2. ____ No
E. If the answer is yes, was it: 1. ____ Easy 2. __X__ Hard
II. Present
F. When did you learn that you where a candidate for a cochlear implant? 1. __X__ 20-30 years 2. ____ 31- 40 years 3. ____ 41- 50 years 4. ____ 51- 60 years 5. ____ 61 +
G. How did you learn that you where a candidate for a cochlear implant?
I knew many years ago, but wires were protruding from head, so we didn’t persue it.
H. Do you have a cochlear implant? 1. __X__ Yes 2. ____ No
If the answer is yes, answer the following questions; if it’s no, go to questions P and Q.
I. At what age did you have the surgery? 1. ____ 20-30 years 2. ____ 31- 40 years 3. __X__ 41- 50 years (2) 4. ____ 51- 60 years 5. ____ 61 +
J. Were there risks of having the surgery done? 1. ____ Yes 2. __X__ No
If yes, what were they?
K. What was the cost of the surgery? 1. _X___ $50,000- $60,000 2. ____ $61,000- $70,000 3. ____ $71,000- $80,000 4. ____ $81,000- $90,000 5. ____ $91,000 +
L. Where did you get the surgery done? (state) Florida M. Where there any complications during the procedure? 1. ____Yes 2. __X__ No
N. Where there any complications after the procedure? 1. ____ Yes 2. __X__ No
O. What have been the benefits of having a cochlear implant? (name 3 benefits)
Answering the phone, hearing music and being able to hear when your name is called, there are more than 3…
P. Would you like to have one?
Q. Do you know what: * risks include the surgery? ____ Yes ____ No * benefits include the surgery? ____ Yes ____ No * the cost of the surgery? __ __ Yes ____ No
III. Future
R. If you weren’t deaf, how do you think becoming deaf will affect you?
Demographics:
Age: ___51_____
State of residence: ___FL_____
Gender: ___F_____
Level of hearing loss: ___110% DB loss prior to CI’s_____
Race: ___ will not answer___
I. Past
A. Are you: 1. ____ deaf from birth? 2. ____ deaf for a medical reason? 3. __XX__ deaf for another condition?
B. If the answer is 1 (check all that apply)
____ did your parents know about cochlear implants?
____ did your parents know about hearing aids?
____ did your parents took you to an audiologist?
C. If the answer is 2 or 3, what did your parents do when they learned that you became deaf? They urged me to learn sign language.
D. Regardless of your hearing loss, where you able to integrate with the hearing world? 1. __XX__ Yes 2. ____ No
E. If the answer is yes, was it: 1. __XX__ Easy 2. ____ Hard
II. Present
F. When did you learn that you where a candidate for a cochlear implant? 1. ____ 20-30 years 2. ____ 31- 40 years 3. ____ 41- 50 years 4. ____ 51- 60 years 5. __XX__ 61 +
G. How did you learn that you where a candidate for a cochlear implant?
The audiologist advised there was no hearing aid that could help me function as a hard of hearing person.
H. Do you have a cochlear implant? 1. __XX__ Yes 2. ____ No
If the answer is yes, answer the following questions; if it’s no, go to questions P and Q.
I. At what age did you have the surgery? 1. ____ 20-30 years 2. ____ 31- 40 years 3. ____ 41- 50 years 4. ____ 51- 60 years 5. __XX__ 61 +
J. Were there risks of having the surgery done? 1. ____ Yes 2. __XX__ No
If yes, what were they?
K. What was the cost of the surgery? unknown 1. ____ $50,000- $60,000 2. ____ $61,000- $70,000 3. ____ $71,000- $80,000 4. ____ $81,000- $90,000 5. ____ $91,000 +
L. Where did you get the surgery done? (state) New Hampshire M. Where there any complications during the procedure? 1. ____Yes 2. __XX__ No
N. Where there any complications after the procedure? 1. ____ Yes 2. __XX__ No
O. What have been the benefits of having a cochlear implant? (name 3 benefits)
Improved ability to communicate, improved quality of life, improved self esteem
P. Would you like to have one?
Q. Do you know what: * risks include the surgery? ____ Yes ____ No * benefits include the surgery? ____ Yes ____ No * the cost of the surgery? ____ Yes ____ No
III. Future
R. If you weren’t deaf, how do you think becoming deaf will affect you?
Becoming less likely to seek out companionship, lessened aggressiveness, and becoming more inward drawn.
Demographics:
Age: ____79____
State of residence: ____NH____
Gender: ____M____
Level of hearing loss: ____deaf____
Race: ____Irish/African American/American indian____
I. Past
A. Are you: 1. __X__ deaf from birth? 2. ____ deaf for a medical reason? 3. ____ deaf for another condition?
B. If the answer is 1 (check all that apply)
____ did your parents know about cochlear implants?
__X__ did your parents know about hearing aids?
__X__ did your parents took you to an audiologist?
C. If the answer is 2 or 3, what did your parents do when they learned that you became deaf?
D. Regardless of your hearing loss, where you able to integrate with the hearing world? 1. __X__ Yes 2. ____ No
E. If the answer is yes, was it: 1. ____ Easy 2. __X__ Hard
II. Present
F. When did you learn that you where a candidate for a cochlear implant? 1. ____ 20-30 years 2. ____ 31- 40 years 3. ____ 41- 50 years 4. ____ 51- 60 years 5. __X__ 61 +
G. How did you learn that you where a candidate for a cochlear implant?
Went to hearing institute in NYC and was tested. Had to “fail” test to find out I was a candidate. That’s the way it works here.
H. Do you have a cochlear implant? 1. __X__ Yes 2. ____ No
If the answer is yes, answer the following questions; if it’s no, go to questions P and Q.
I. At what age did you have the surgery? 1. ____ 20-30 years 2. ____ 31- 40 years 3. ____ 41- 50 years 4. ____ 51- 60 years 5. __X__ 61 +
J. Were there risks of having the surgery done? 1. ____ Yes 2. __X__ No
If yes, what were they?
K. What was the cost of the surgery? 1. __X__ $50,000- $60,000 2. ____ $61,000- $70,000 3. ____ $71,000- $80,000 4. ____ $81,000- $90,000 5. ____ $91,000 +
L. Where did you get the surgery done? (state) New York M. Where there any complications during the procedure? 1. ____Yes 2. __X__ No N. Where there any complications after the procedure? 1. ____ Yes 2. __X__ No
O. What have been the benefits of having a cochlear implant? (name 3 benefits)
Better overall hearing, not as shy about meeting new people as was before getting implant, more confidence.
P. Would you like to have one?
Q. Do you know what: * risks include the surgery? ____ Yes ____ No * benefits include the surgery? ____ Yes ____ No * the cost of the surgery? ____ Yes ____ No
III. Future
R. If you weren’t deaf, how do you think becoming deaf will affect you?
Demographics:
Age: ____65____
State of residence: ____NY____
Gender: ____F____
Level of hearing loss: ____profound____
Race: ____caucasian____
I. Past
A. Are you: 1. ____ deaf from birth? 2. ____ deaf for a medical reason? 3. _X___ deaf for another condition?
B. If the answer is 1 (check all that apply)
____ did your parents know about cochlear implants?
____ did your parents know about hearing aids?
____ did your parents took you to an audiologist?
C. If the answer is 2 or 3, what did your parents do when they learned that you became deaf? I was an adult when I became deaf but my family including my mother would not accept it for a long time.
D. Regardless of your hearing loss, where you able to integrate with the hearing world? 1. __X__ Yes 2. ____ No
E. If the answer is yes, was it: 1. ____ Easy 2. _X___ Hard
II. Present
F. When did you learn that you where a candidate for a cochlear implant? 1. ____ 20-30 years 2. __X__ 31- 40 years 3. ____ 41- 50 years 4. ____ 51- 60 years 5. ____ 61 +
G. How did you learn that you where a candidate for a cochlear implant?
I was told long before I got my implant that I was a candidate, actually when they first came out but insurance would not pay for it as they considered it to be an experiment.
H. Do you have a cochlear implant? 1. __X__ Yes 2. ____ No
If the answer is yes, answer the following questions; if it’s no, go to questions P and Q. I. At what age did you have the surgery? 1. ____ 20-30 years 2. ____ 31- 40 years 3. ____ 41- 50 years 4. __X__ 51- 60 years 5. ____ 61 +
J. Were there risks of having the surgery done? 1. _X___ Yes 2. ____ No
If yes, what were they? Might not work, could paralyze face, other complications
K. What was the cost of the surgery? 1. ____ $50,000- $60,000 2. ____ $61,000- $70,000 3. ____ $71,000- $80,000 4. _X___ $81,000- $90,000 5. ____ $91,000 +
L. Where did you get the surgery done? (state) Pennsylvania M. Where there any complications during the procedure? 1. ____Yes 2. __X__ No N. Where there any complications after the procedure? 1. ____ Yes 2. _X___ No
O. What have been the benefits of having a cochlear implant? (name 3 benefits)
I am able to hear and understand one on one, I can take part in activities that I was unable to do as a deaf person, I can talk and hear some people on the telephone.
P. Would you like to have one?
Q. Do you know what: * risks include the surgery? ____ Yes ____ No * benefits include the surgery? ____ Yes ____ No * the cost of the surgery? ____ Yes ____ No
III. Future
R. If you weren’t deaf, how do you think becoming deaf will affect you?
I know how it affects you, you are isolated from family and friends, it is very hard to get a job, you cannot go to movies or talk on the telephone. You are afraid and lonely.
Demographics:
Age: __66______
State of residence: __Pennsylvania______
Gender: _F_______
Level of hearing loss: _Deaf both ears_______
Race: __White______
I. Past
A. Are you: 1. ____ deaf from birth? 2. __X__ deaf for a medical reason? 3. ____ deaf for another condition?
B. If the answer is 1 (check all that apply)
____ did your parents know about cochlear implants?
____ did your parents know about hearing aids?
____ did your parents took you to an audiologist?
C. If the answer is 2 or 3, what did your parents do when they learned that you became deaf? They took me to several ear doctors. I got a hearing aid at 6 years old and a second hearing aid at 10 years old.
D. Regardless of your hearing loss, where you able to integrate with the hearing world? 1. __X__ Yes 2. ____ No
E. If the answer is yes, was it: 1. ____ Easy 2. __X__ Hard
II. Present
F. When did you learn that you where a candidate for a cochlear implant? 1. ____ 20-30 years 2. ____ 31- 40 years 3. __X__ 41- 50 years 4. ____ 51- 60 years 5. ____ 61 +
G. How did you learn that you where a candidate for a cochlear implant?
Testing at Ear Doctor’s Office
H. Do you have a cochlear implant? 1. __X__ Yes – I have 2 Cochlear Implants. 2. ____ No
If the answer is yes, answer the following questions; if it’s no, go to questions P and Q.
I. At what age did you have the surgery? 1. ____ 20-30 years 2. ____ 31- 40 years 3. __X__ 41- 50 years 4. ____ 51- 60 years 5. ____ 61 +
J. Were there risks of having the surgery done? 1. _X___ Yes 2. ____ No
If yes, what were they? Facial paralysis, losing all residual hearing in the implanted ear, losing taste on the side of the tongue where the implant was placed, numbness in the earlobe and the side of the head around the implant.
K. What was the cost of the surgery? 1. ____ $50,000- $60,000 2. ____ $61,000- $70,000 3. ____ $71,000- $80,000 4. ____ $81,000- $90,000 5. _X___ $91,000 +
L. Where did you get the surgery done? (state) Colorado
M. Where there any complications during the procedure? 3. ____Yes 4. __X__ No
N. Where there any complications after the procedure? 3. ____ Yes 4. __X__ No
O. What have been the benefits of having a cochlear implant? (name 3 benefits)
I can hear A LOT better. My life is much better. I am happier because I can hear well. Hearing better helps me at my job.
P. Would you like to have one?
Q. Do you know what: * risks include the surgery? ____ Yes ____ No * benefits include the surgery? ____ Yes ____ No * the cost of the surgery? ____ Yes ____ No
III. Future
R. If you weren’t deaf, how do you think becoming deaf will affect you?
Being Deaf isolates one from people and the world around you. People are not nice and they don’t want to include you in things even when you are trying your best to be integrated in the hearing world. Hearing people give you the indication that you are a nuisance just because you want to know what is going on and you ask others to repeat. Your family treats you like you are a nuisance.
Demographics:
Age: _49_______
State of residence: __Colorado______
Gender: __Female______
Level of hearing loss: __Profound______
Race: __White______
I. Past
A. Are you: 1. ____ deaf from birth? 2. _X___ deaf for a medical reason? 3. ____ deaf for another condition?
B. If the answer is 1 (check all that apply)
____ did your parents know about cochlear implants?
____ did your parents know about hearing aids?
____ did your parents took you to an audiologist?
C. If the answer is 2 or 3, what did your parents do when they learned that you became deaf? I lost hearing gradually – they got me hearing aids as soon as I was diagnosed with hearing loss
D. Regardless of your hearing loss, where you able to integrate with the hearing world? 1. __X__ Yes 2. ____ No
E. If the answer is yes, was it: 1. ____ Easy 2. ____ Hard
My loss was gradual over a lifetime – there is not an answer for this question that’s simple.
II. Present
F. When did you learn that you where a candidate for a cochlear implant? 1. ____ 20-30 years 2. ____ 31- 40 years 3. ____ 41- 50 years 4. ___X_ 51- 60 years 5. ____ 61 +
G. How did you learn that you where a candidate for a cochlear implant? Talking to people online convinced me to make an appointment with a new audiology clinic and go for an evaluation.
H. Do you have a cochlear implant? 1. __X__ Yes 2. ____ No
If the answer is yes, answer the following questions; if it’s no, go to questions P and Q.
I. At what age did you have the surgery? 1. ____ 20-30 years 2. ____ 31- 40 years 3. ____ 41- 50 years 4. __X__ 51- 60 years 5. ____ 61 +
J. Were there risks of having the surgery done? 1. __X__ Yes 2. ____ No
If yes, what were they? Loss of residual hearing, loss of taste, facial paralysis, risk from anesthesia – same as any surgery, risk of death from complication – same as any surgery.
K. What was the cost of the surgery? 1. ___X_ $50,000- $60,000 2. ____ $61,000- $70,000 3. ____ $71,000- $80,000 4. ____ $81,000- $90,000 5. ____ $91,000 +
L. Where did you get the surgery done? (state) TN, United States of America M. Where there any complications during the procedure? 1. ____Yes 2. __X__ No N. Where there any complications after the procedure? 1. __X__ Yes 2. ____ No
O. What have been the benefits of having a cochlear implant? (name 3 benefits)
I can hear and understand spoken words, safety, social interaction is much better.
P. Would you like to have one?
Q. Do you know what: * risks include the surgery? ____ Yes ____ No * benefits include the surgery? ____ Yes ____ No * the cost of the surgery? ____ Yes ____ No
III. Future
R. If you weren’t deaf, how do you think becoming deaf will affect you?
Demographics:
Age: ______55__
State of residence: ___TN_____
Gender: ____F____
Level of hearing loss: _____before my implants 90 to 95 db___
Race: _____W___
I. Past
A. Are you: 1. ____ deaf from birth? 2. ____ deaf for a medical reason? 3. __x__ deaf for another condition?
B. If the answer is 1 (check all that apply)
____ did your parents know about cochlear implants?
____ did your parents know about hearing aids?
____ did your parents took you to an audiologist?
C. If the answer is 2 or 3, what did your parents do when they learned that you became deaf? This was a long time ago. My parents took me to an ear specialist.
D. Regardless of your hearing loss, where you able to integrate with the hearing world? 1. ___x_ Yes 2. ____ No
E. If the answer is yes, was it: 1. ____ Easy 2. ___x_ Hard
II. Present
F. When did you learn that you where a candidate for a cochlear implant? 1. ____ 20-30 years 2. ____ 31- 40 years 3. ____ 41- 50 years 4. ____ 51- 60 years 5. ___x_ 61 +
G. How did you learn that you where a candidate for a cochlear implant?
I wore hearing aids for 50 years. My hearing aids stopped helping me. I went to the ENT and he said, “The time has come for a Cochlear Implant”.
H. Do you have a cochlear implant? 1. ___x_ Yes 2. ____ No
If the answer is yes, answer the following questions; if it’s no, go to questions P and Q. I. At what age did you have the surgery? 1. ____ 20-30 years 2. ____ 31- 40 years 3. ____ 41- 50 years 4. ____ 51- 60 years 5. __x__ 61 +
J. Were there risks of having the surgery done? 1. ___x Yes 2. ____ No
If yes, what were they? Facial paralyses. Failure of implant.
K. What was the cost of the surgery? 1. ____ $50,000- $60,000 2. ____ $61,000- $70,000 3. __x__ $71,000- $80,000 4. ____ $81,000- $90,000 5. ____ $91,000 +
L. Where did you get the surgery done? (state) Texas M. Where there any complications during the procedure? 1. ____Yes 2. ___x_ No
N. Where there any complications after the procedure? 1. ____ Yes 2. __x__ No
O. What have been the benefits of having a cochlear implant? (name 3 benefits)
I can hear. I was so excited about being able to hear I started a Cochlear Implant support group because I wanted everyone to hear as well as I heard.
I can be independent. I can help others realize how a Cochlear Implant can help them.
P. Would you like to have one?
Q. Do you know what: * risks include the surgery? ____ Yes ____ No * benefits include the surgery? ____ Yes ____ No * the cost of the surgery? ____ Yes ____ No
III. Future
R. If you weren’t deaf, how do you think becoming deaf will affect you?
It would be a shock to learn to live in a non hearing world.
Demographics:
Age: ___79_____
State of residence: ____Texas____
Gender: ___F____
Level of hearing loss: _Deaf with Cochlear Implants____
Race: _____W___
I. Past
A. Are you: 1. ____ deaf from birth? 2. ____ deaf for a medical reason? 3. __X__ deaf for another condition?
B. If the answer is 1 (check all that apply) NA
____ did your parents know about cochlear implants?
____ did your parents know about hearing aids?
____ did your parents took you to an audiologist?
C. If the answer is 2 or 3, what did your parents do when they learned that you became deaf? N/A
D. Regardless of your hearing loss, where you able to integrate with the hearing world? 3. ____ Yes 4. __X__ No
E. If the answer is yes, was it: 3. ____ Easy 4. ____ Hard
II. Present
F. When did you learn that you where a candidate for a cochlear implant? 6. ____ 20-30 years 7. ____ 31- 40 years 8. ____ 41- 50 years 9. __X__ 51- 60 years 10. ____ 61 +
G. How did you learn that you where a candidate for a cochlear implant?
Hearing aids did not help to understand speech. They just made everything loud.
H. Do you have a cochlear implant? 3. __X__ Yes 4. ____ No
If the answer is yes, answer the following questions; if it’s no, go to questions P and Q.
I. At what age did you have the surgery? 6. ____ 20-30 years 7. ____ 31- 40 years 8. ____ 41- 50 years 9. __X__ 51- 60 years 10. ____ 61 +
J. Were there risks of having the surgery done? 3. ___X_ Yes 4. ____ No
If yes, what were they? Every surgery has risks but for CI they are minimal
K. What was the cost of the surgery? 6. ____ $50,000- $60,000 7. ____ $61,000- $70,000 8. ____ $71,000- $80,000 9. ____ $81,000- $90,000 10. __X__ $91,000 +
L. Where did you get the surgery done? (state) Florida M. Where there any complications during the procedure? 5. ____Yes 6. __X__ No
N. Where there any complications after the procedure? 5. ____ Yes 6. __X__ No
O. What have been the benefits of having a cochlear implant? (name 3 benefits)
I can once again use the telephone, understand the spoken word and enjoy everything life has to offer.
P. Would you like to have one?
Q. Do you know what: * risks include the surgery? ____ Yes ____ No * benefits include the surgery? ____ Yes ____ No * the cost of the surgery? ____ Yes ____ No
III. Future
R. If you weren’t deaf, how do you think becoming deaf will affect you?
I experienced sudden deafness and becoming deaf was devastating. It affected my professional, social and family life.
Demographics:
Age: ____68____
State of residence: ___Florida_____
Gender: ___F_____
Level of hearing loss: ___deaf_____
Race: ___Caucasian_____
I. Past
A. Are you: 1. ____ deaf from birth? 2. __x__ deaf for a medical reason? 3. ____ deaf for another condition?
B. If the answer is 1 (check all that apply)
____ did your parents know about cochlear implants?
____ did your parents know about hearing aids?
____ did your parents took you to an audiologist?
C. If the answer is 2 or 3, what did your parents do when they learned that you became deaf? I was an adult.
D. Regardless of your hearing loss, where you able to integrate with the hearing world? 1. _X___ Yes 2. ____ No
E. If the answer is yes, was it: 1. X____ Easy 2. ____ Hard
II. Present
F. When did you learn that you where a candidate for a cochlear implant? 1. ____ 20-30 years 2. ____ 31- 40 years 3. ____ 41- 50 years 4. ____ 51- 60 years 5. _X___ 61 +
G. How did you learn that you where a candidate for a cochlear implant?
H. Do you have a cochlear implant? 1. _X___ Yes 2. ____ No
If the answer is yes, answer the following questions; if it’s no, go to questions P and Q.
I. At what age did you have the surgery? 1. ____ 20-30 years 2. ____ 31- 40 years 3. ____ 41- 50 years 4. ____ 51- 60 years 5. _X___ 61 +
J. Were there risks of having the surgery done? 1. _x___ Yes 2. ____ No
If yes, what were they? Every surgery has its risks
K. What was the cost of the surgery? 1. ____ $50,000- $60,000 2. ____ $61,000- $70,000 3. ____ $71,000- $80,000 4. ____ $81,000- $90,000 5. ____ $91,000 +
L. Where did you get the surgery done? (state) New York
M. Where there any complications during the procedure? 1. ____Yes 2. X____ No
N. Where there any complications after the procedure? 1. ____ Yes 2. x____ No
O. What have been the benefits of having a cochlear implant? (name 3 benefits)
Go to the theater and hear. I hear at meetings. I hear my friends much better and hear inside a moving vehicle!!!
P. Would you like to have one?
Q. Do you know what: * risks include the surgery? ____ Yes ____ No * benefits include the surgery? ____ Yes ____ No * the cost of the surgery? ____ Yes ____ No
III. Future
R. If you weren’t deaf, how do you think becoming deaf will affect you?
Demographics:
Age: __63______
State of residence: _NJ_______
Gender: F________
Level of hearing loss: 20 or 40 %______
Race: __Caucasian______
I. Past
A. Are you: 1. ____ deaf from birth? 2. ____ deaf for a medical reason? 3. __X__ deaf for another condition?
B. If the answer is 1(check all that apply)
____ did your parents know about cochlear implants?
____ did your parents know about hearing aids?
____ did your parents took you to an audiologist?
C. If the answer is 2 or 3, what did your parents do when they learned that you became deaf? Hearing loss noticed at age 7, hearing aids at 17, profound deafness noticed at adult age.
D. Regardless of your hearing loss, where you able to integrate with the hearing world? 1. __x__ Yes 2. ____ No
E. If the answer is yes, was it: 1. ____ Easy 2. __x__ Hard
II. Present
F. When did you learn that you where a candidate for a cochlear implant? 1. ____ 20-30 years 2. ____ 31- 40 years 3. __x__ 41- 50 years 4. ____ 51- 60 years 5. ____ 61 +
G. How did you learn that you where a candidate for a cochlear implant?
H. Do you have a cochlear implant? 1. __x__ Yes 2. ____ No
If the answer is yes, answer the following questions; if it’s no, go to questions P and Q.
I. At what age did you have the surgery? 1. ____ 20-30 years 2. ____ 31- 40 years 3. __x__ 41- 50 years 4. ____ 51- 60 years 5. ____ 61 +
J. Were there risks of having the surgery done? 1. __x__ Yes 2. ____ No
If yes, what were they?
K. What was the cost of the surgery? 1. ____ $50,000- $60,000 2. ____ $61,000- $70,000 3. __x__ $71,000- $80,000 4. ____ $81,000- $90,000 5. ____ $91,000 +
L. Where did you get the surgery done? (state) Ohio M. Where there any complications during the procedure? 1. ____Yes 2. __x__ No N. Where there any complications after the procedure? 1. __x__ Yes 2. ____ No
O. What have been the benefits of having a cochlear implant? (name 3 benefits)
Being able to hear, associate with others, feeling like I belong again.
P. Would you like to have one?
Q. Do you know what: * risks include the surgery? ____ Yes ____ No * benefits include the surgery? ____ Yes ____ No * the cost of the surgery? ____ Yes ____ No
III. Future
R. If you weren’t deaf, how do you think becoming deaf will affect you?
Demographics:
Age: ____52____
State of residence: ___Ohio_____
Gender: ____M____
Level of hearing loss: ____profound____
Race: ____white____
I. Past
A. Are you: 1. __x__ deaf from birth? 2. ____ deaf for a medical reason? 3. ____ deaf for another condition?
B. If the answer is 1 (check all that apply)
____ did your parents know about cochlear implants?
__x__ did your parents know about hearing aids?
__x__ did your parents took you to an audiologist?
C. If the answer is 2 or 3, what did your parents do when they learned that you became deaf? When Linda was about 18 months of age, the parents realized that she was blind. Some unknown time after that, they found out she was also profoundly deaf.
D. Regardless of your hearing loss, where you able to integrate with the hearing world? 1. __x__ Yes 2. ____ No
E. If the answer is yes, was it: 1. ____ Easy 2. __x__ Hard
II. Present
F. When did you learn that you where a candidate for a cochlear implant? 1. ____ 20-30 years 2. ____ 31- 40 years 3. __x__ 41- 50 years 4. ____ 51- 60 years 5. ____ 61 +
G. How did you learn that you where a candidate for a cochlear implant?
She was told about the cochlear implants by a friend. She investigated and then got an appointment with a cochlear implant surgeon, and the audiologist met us at the ENT center. The audiologist conducted two hearing test.
H. Do you have a cochlear implant? 1. __x__ Yes 2. ____ No
If the answer is yes, answer the following questions; if it’s no, go to questions P and Q.
I. At what age did you have the surgery? 1. ____ 20-30 years 2. ____ 31- 40 years 3. __x__ 41- 50 years 4. ____ 51- 60 years 5. ____ 61 +
J. Were there risks of having the surgery done? 1. __x__ Yes 2. ____ No
If yes, what were they? There are risks in every surgery.
K. What was the cost of the surgery? Unknown, medical insurance covered it all. 1. ____ $50,000- $60,000 2. ____ $61,000- $70,000 3. ____ $71,000- $80,000 4. ____ $81,000- $90,000 5. ____ $91,000 +
L. Where did you get the surgery done? (state) Florida M. Where there any complications during the procedure? 7. ____Yes 8. __x__ No
N. Where there any complications after the procedure? 7. ____ Yes 8. __x__ No
O. What have been the benefits of having a cochlear implant? (name 3 benefits)
As a blind and deaf person, she can conduct her business via telephone, also she can communicate via telephone with her relatives, since having bilateral hearing (cochlear implants on both ears) she knows from where the sound is coming.
P. Would you like to have one?
Q. Do you know what: * risks include the surgery? ____ Yes ____ No * benefits include the surgery? ____ Yes ____ No * the cost of the surgery? ____ Yes ____ No
III. Future
R. If you weren’t deaf, how do you think becoming deaf will affect you?
Demographics:
Age: ____52____
State of residence: ___FL_____
Gender: ____F____
Level of hearing loss: ____100%____
Race: ___caucasian_____
I. Past
A. Are you: 1. ____ deaf from birth? 2. ____ deaf for a medical reason? 3. __X__ deaf for another condition?
B. If the answer is 1 (check all that apply)
____ did your parents know about cochlear implants?
____ did your parents know about hearing aids?
____ did your parents took you to an audiologist?
C. If the answer is 2 or 3, what did your parents do when they learned that you became deaf? I was an adult when I lost my hearing, age 38.
D. Regardless of your hearing loss, where you able to integrate with the hearing world? 1. __X__ Yes 2. ____ No
E. If the answer is yes, was it: 1. ____ Easy 2. __X__ Hard
II. Present
F. When did you learn that you where a candidate for a cochlear implant? 11. ____ 20-30 years 12. ____ 31- 40 years 13. __X__ 41- 50 years 14. ____ 51- 60 years 15. ____ 61 +
G. How did you learn that you where a candidate for a cochlear implant?
My audiologist told me after testing for it.
H. Do you have a cochlear implant? 5. _X___ Yes 6. ____ No
If the answer is yes, answer the following questions; if it’s no, go to questions P and Q.
I. At what age did you have the surgery? 11. ____ 20-30 years 12. ____ 31- 40 years 13. _X___ 41- 50 years 14. ____ 51- 60 years 15. ____ 61 +
J. Were there risks of having the surgery done? 1. __X__ Yes 2. ____ No
If yes, what were they? No guarantees it would work; rejection of the device; a failed device; infection.
K. What was the cost of the surgery? 1. __X__ $50,000- $60,000 2. ____ $61,000- $70,000 3. ____ $71,000- $80,000 4. ____ $81,000- $90,000 5. ____ $91,000 +
L. Where did you get the surgery done? (state) California
M. Where there any complications during the procedure? 1. __X__ Yes 2. ____ No
N. Where there any complications after the procedure? 1. ____ Yes 2. __X__ No
O. What have been the benefits of having a cochlear implant? (name 3 benefits)
Clear, precise speech comprehension; an improvement in the workplace, being able to do my job with ease; improvement in my social life, no more isolation.
P. Would you like to have one?
Q. Do you know what: * risks include the surgery? ____ Yes ____ No * benefits include the surgery? ____ Yes ____ No * the cost of the surgery? ____ Yes ____ No
III. Future
R. If you weren’t deaf, how do you think becoming deaf will affect you?
Losing my hearing and walking a deaf journey has made me a better, kinder, more compassionate person, and an advocate for disabled.
Demographics:
Age: _____55___
State of residence: __CA______
Gender: ___F_____
Level of hearing loss: ___100% without equipment_____
Race: ___Black_____
I. Past
A. Are you: 4. ____ deaf from birth? 5. __X__ deaf for a medical reason? 6. ____ deaf for another condition?
B. If the answer is 1 (check all that apply)
____ did your parents know about cochlear implants?
____ did your parents know about hearing aids?
____ did your parents took you to an audiologist? C. If the answer is 2 or 3, what did your parents do when they learned that you became deaf? Hearing loss in my 20s, researched on my own.
D. Regardless of your hearing loss, where you able to integrate with the hearing world? 5. ___X_ Yes 6. ____ No
E. If the answer is yes, was it: 5. ____ Easy 6. __X__ Hard
II. Present
F. When did you learn that you where a candidate for a cochlear implant? 1. ____ 20-30 years 2. __X__ 31- 40 years 3. ____ 41- 50 years 4. ____ 51- 60 years 5. ____ 61 +
G. How did you learn that you where a candidate for a cochlear implant?
Audiogram
H. Do you have a cochlear implant? 7. __X__ Yes 8. ____ No
If the answer is yes, answer the following questions; if it’s no, go to questions P and Q.
I. At what age did you have the surgery? 16. ____ 20-30 years 17. ____ 31- 40 years 18. __x__ 41- 50 years 19. ____ 51- 60 years 20. ____ 61 +
J. Were there risks of having the surgery done? 1. __X__ Yes 2. ____ No
If yes, what were they?
K. What was the cost of the surgery? 1. _X___ $50,000- $60,000 2. ____ $61,000- $70,000 3. ____ $71,000- $80,000 4. ____ $81,000- $90,000 5. ____ $91,000 +
L. Where did you get the surgery done? (state) New York M. Where there any complications during the procedure? 9. ____Yes 10. ___X_ No
N. Where there any complications after the procedure? 9. ____ Yes 10. ___X_ No
O. What have been the benefits of having a cochlear implant? (name 3 benefits)
Can hear everything again: telephone, radio, television, speech!
P. Would you like to have one?
Q. Do you know what: * risks include the surgery? ____ Yes ____ No * benefits include the surgery? ____ Yes ____ No * the cost of the surgery? ____ Yes ____ No
III. Future
R. If you weren’t deaf, how do you think becoming deaf will affect you?
Demographics:
Age: ___43_____
State of residence: ____NJ____
Gender: ____F____
Level of hearing loss: ___deaf in CI ear_____
Race: ____rainbow____