Members area

Loading...

Register

Don't have a login?

Join us

Become a member

  • Connect with others through events, workshops, campaigns and our NEW online forum, Your Community
  • Discover information and insights in our resource hub and receive the latest updates via email
  • Access one-to-one support and tailored services which help reduce barriers for deaf children
Menu Open mobile desktop menu

Unilateral vs bilateral cochlear implant with some residual hearing

Discussion
Posted by liss
16/12/20 10:10 AM

Good morning,

After a long assessment process, our son has just been recommended for biateral cochlear implantation. He has profound hearing loss in one ear and moderately-severe in the other. He just hit the criteria with his better ear and has some residual hearing in it. He uses hearing aids and is developing speech. He also recognises and enjoys music. When not wearing aids he is also able to detect some sound. We're struggling with the possibility of a CI replacing his residual hearing in this ear and are considering unilateral implantation, implanting in the profound ear only. We're feeling some pressure from the CI centre to go for the bilateral option because of funding and the possibility of his hearing deteriorating in the future. We're not completely against the idea, we just want to make the best decision for our son.

Has anyone else been though a similar experience. We would be very grateful of any advice. Thank you.

Discussion
Posted by Claire ndcs moderator Moderator
22/12/20 03:07 PM

Hi there,

Thanks for starting this thread. I’m sorry no one has commented yet. Your Community is very new and we’re still building up our members.

It’s great that you’re reaching out, as having lots of balanced information and speaking to families with experience of the process may help you make your decision.

We have information for parents who are in the process of making a decision on our website. 

Your local deaf children’s society can be a good place to start as well as the Cochlear Implanted Children's Support Group, a voluntary group run by parents offering support to parents of deaf children with cochlear implants and those who are deciding if implantation is right for their child.

We also have an in-house audiologist who’d be happy to talk things through with you. If you’d like any further information or support please contact our Helpline team.  

Take care,

Claire

Your Community moderation team

Discussion
Posted by lwtulips
28/01/21 11:01 AM

Hi,

Our girl had bilateral implants at 2.5 years old and is now 9.5 yrs old. Go for the 2 at the same time as then your child will have balanced hearing from the implants rather than one implant giving him one way of hearing and amazing levels of sound and his other ear using an aid where sounds are different and probably not at the same frequency/decibel level.

Cochlear processors have given our girl amazing levels of sound - she commented on the crunchy snow on Sunday, birds up in the sky, etc...

Hope this helps you.

Discussion
Posted by lwtulips
28/01/21 11:02 AM

Hi,

Our girl had bilateral implants at 2.5 years old and is now 9.5 yrs old. Go for the 2 at the same time as then your child will have balanced hearing from the implants rather than one implant giving him one way of hearing and amazing levels of sound and his other ear using an aid where sounds are different and probably not at the same frequency/decibel level.

Cochlear processors have given our girl amazing levels of sound - she commented on the crunchy snow on Sunday, birds up in the sky, etc...

Hope this helps you.

There will be a few weeks from op to switch on where he won't have hearing but a few weeks for a lifetime of "perfect" access to all sounds is a small price to pay.

Discussion
Posted by sparkle
28/01/21 11:33 AM

Hi Liss,

Sorry to hear that your son's hearing is deteriorating.  It is great news that he qualifies for cochlear implants though as they have amazing results!

In children they offer to do bilateral cochlears as the medical proffessions feel this is best for them.  I believe that the only reason adults are offered one cochlear implant is due to lack of funding - it always comes down to money.  I have a friend who had a cochlear implant when she was an adult and she says she wishes she had two but there isn't anything she can do about it and is lucky to have one.

Our daughter had moderate hearing loss and wore bilateral hearing aids.  She was diagnosed with Pendred Syndrome and EVA after she she had a bump to the head and lost her hearing completely at 3 years old.  The bump was very minor with no marks but because it was the side of her head it caused her to suddenly lose her hearing.  

We were happy she was going to have bilateral cochlears because it meant she would be able to hear the same on both sides which is very useful to know where sounds come from espeically when there is a group of people talking.  We felt the amount of sounds she was currently able to hear were only very loud sounds and they did not benefit her as much as having cochlears would as with cochlears she can access speech.

If the medical professionals are saying his hearing is deteriorating would you want him to go through the operation twice?   

She has had amazing results since having the cochlears - she can even hear a whisper in a quiet environment!  Our daughter particularly loved music too and watching her enjoy it again and being able to sing along is magical.

There are other advantages too - with cochlears you can wear one in the water so at the swimming pool or beach with a protective cover.  This is amazing and makes a real difference to them being able to hear in the water.  

It is a hard decision for any parent to make for their child and we found it tough.  We were luckly to be able to meet and speak to other children who had cochlears and they had amazing speach and even spoke two languages!  

CICS is the national cochlear implant charity and you can find them online.  If you contact them and join which is free they will send you a whole information pack which is really supportive.  

Our daughter is in reception now and has an EHCP (which you can get because of the cochlears)  Her teachers use a radio aid and she has a teaching assistant to support her.  Althought chidlren with hearing aids need support too it seems like if your child has cochlears they are more likely to get access to additional support that they will need at school and makes a massive difference! 

I hope this helps

Discussion
Posted by kat
19/03/21 10:36 PM

Hi, sorry this is so late after your original post. Your situation sounds very similar to ours (except our daughter was older.) in a nutshell - born deaf, right ears always worse but coped well with hearing aids. At 15 she lost all hearing in her right ear but still severe- profound in left but coping with just that ear. Offered CIs and we AGONISED over one or two. She decided on one as we didn't want to risk losing her left in case the operation failed and then we could have a year to think about the left side after seeing how the right went (nothing to lose in that ear!). We also had a time pressure as after 18 you only get offered one. So - she chose just one but when we told the professionals they all tutted and strongly advised bilateral. Seemingly the success of the second ear is less if they are selarate ops as the child is quite likely to "not get on with the second." There is also the chance they will turn down funding Too.  So, we rethought and after much toing and froing (St Thimasas must have hated us!) she decided on two. So, 16 months ago she had both done. Pretty big op, but only one recovery, one set of appts etc and she hasn't looked back. She lived for music and dance so started listening to music syptraight after switch on and now hears music as well as she ever did. Her hearing levels on both sides are better than with her aids and she's glad she did it together as the thought of another op this summer was horrendous. 
We held out hope they could save the residual hearing in her left Ear so she could choose to use her hearing aid but this is rare and didn't happen with her Which in some ways makes it easier and she has CI on both sides. Her sound are balanced now and it's the same in each ear.

we had no idea of her left would suddenly vanish as it did overnight on her right but due to her age we couldn't leave it to find out. 
so, in short, we had a horrible time deciding , literally to the day of the op, and even then she   wasn't 100% sure but now she is glad it's over, the recovery and learning To hear again was all done at once. 
Shes now at uni, living independently, enjoying dance and music and loving life! 
Sorry this is so long but I completely understand your dilemma. 
Good luck