Hi Derek
All the very best with it mate
regards Kev

Back in my room. Doc said a text book operation. Took 3 hours. Feeling pretty good.

Good to hear 

Edit , didnt mean to say that , it just kinda happened.

I am home.

According to all the experts everything went to plan.

Now for a quiet week of healing.

Thursday week we attend the Specialist Audiologist who will fit the external processor and turn it on.

At present and basically forever I will have no hearing in my right ear unless I am wearing the processor.  Was quite odd sitting in the passenger side of the car and hardly being able to hear Maggie talking at all. 

I am feeling well with very little pain.  Haven’t had to take any yet but they gave me some quite nice exciting drugs if I need them. 

All quite exciting actually

Thanks everyone.

It is so nice when they tell you what could go wrong and none of it does.  I am feeling pretty good still.

Hi Derek
It is good to see you home look after yourself
regards Kev

Just to let everyone know where it is all at.

If you have never seen a cochlear implant the X-ray below was taken before I left hospital yesterday.  It is bigger than I thought it would be.

Today I have been in some pain so currently on the heavy drugs.  This was to be expected for a few days.  I think yesterday I was still on a high and not noticing it.

Our puppies Penny and Daisy are happily keeping me company when I lay on the bed. 😊

Overall though I am feeling pretty good and soldiering on.

Good morning Derek
I hope you are feeling better
Have a great day
Kev

Hey guys.

I was warned that from a pain perspective day 3 and maybe 4 would be the worst and it sure was.  Nothing excruciating that I couldn’t handle but i knew it was there.

It is weird, because now there is no hearing that I can detect in the right ear I sometimes have a feeling that half my head is missing.   

Today has been a good day so far.

Good on you Bear, don't know about the rest on here but I was certainly thinking in the same boat my wife would be on my right. Ha Ha. Good to hear ( unintentional word use) that it is going OK Derek. I am fortunate that I only need hearing aids. Got some new ones in the pipeline through Costco. Haven't worn any for a few years so overdue. Interesting following your journey. I'm sure the bloke that started the cochlear story was an apprentice at GMH Elizabeth. right or wrong weather our car makers all shut up shop, the bigger question is where will the next clever Aussie get his training from and develop the next break through in inventory/ development

Hi Derek
Sounds like everything is OK. and on track.
Regards Kev
I

Well it has been a week now since I had my cochlear implant surgery.

So far everything is going well.  I still get some discomfort from the operation site however the pain from it has subsided significantly to very little at all.

Today I get to wash my hair for the first time which in itself is exciting.   

Wednesday I am off back to the surgeon for a check up and then on Thursday the outside processor gets connected and then I start to hear sounds again.

Keep you fingers crossed for me.   

Should have shaved the head and started again mate. Glad you are feeling better any how cheers Robert

Something to look forward to mate, cheers

Well the pain hit me with a vengeance around midnight last night.  Tried a couple of different heavy duty meds and didn’t end up back in bed until 7.00 am.

Managed a couple of hours sleep and woke pain free.  Sat up for a while and then went back to bed and woke mid afternoon with more splitting pain.

I was told to expect something like this.  I am not happy.   

May be another long night.  I am back to see the surgeon tomorrow.

Hi Derek
Great news mate. All the very best
regards Kev

Hi Derek
I was thinking I would see you with a short hair cut
All the best
regards Kev

I am forever the gadgets man and this afternoon was thinking the best way to charge the batteries when off grid in the motorhome.

Found this USB Charger on the Cochlear Website.

Seems they have thought of everything.   

hi Derek
Glad the implant has changed your life with what we take for granted.
Take care mate
Kev..

Had an appointment with my audiology specialist this morning.

At one week my progress is above average.

I have appointments with her every week for 4 weeks and they then taper off to monthly and then 6 monthly.

I am told that I should start hearing words clearly at the 4 week mark.

All is going well.

Good to hear Derek cheers

hi Derek
Now listening to question time would be very painful 
regards Kev

For me Rob, all looking up from here.  Yes, I have the latest Nuclear 8.  Also my implant is the new one that can receive updates via the phone App.

I am now starting to hear but a little way to go yet before full strength.

Interesting, the latest model which is completely under the skin for those who are too embarassed to wear the device on the side of their head. Last few weeks I've seen several young kids with bi-lateral Cochlears, born profoundly deaf and still learning to talk at three or four years of age.

things are getting improved all the time
Kev

Yes have heard of a few people talking about the bits not being interchangeable.

I am back at the Audiologist tomorrow for my 4 week assessment and a retune.

Hi Derek
How did you go with the audiologist the other day.
regards Kev.

Great to hear mate.
Kev

An update. 

It is now six weeks and four days since I had the implant and five weeks since the processor was turned on.

The issue I had with Palsy has completed rectified itself with medication with no lingering issues.

According to the Audiologists, and I have seen two different ones now, I am doing exceptionally well and in fact several months ahead of the average.

As part of getting the cochlear to train my brain I have to listen to audio books, something I have never liked I might add.  When I first started all I was getting was electronic sounds like Donald Duck or the Chipmunks.  Now I can hear the words and follow the story albeit they are still very electronic sounds.  Currently listening to Twilight.  

I am also starting to follow conversations much better.  I am hearing clearer words from the TV.  Have had to have subtitles turned on for years.

I am starting to hear sounds, things most take for granted.  Things I have not heard for years, like running water from the tap actually making a tinkling sound.  Hearing the engine turning over in the car when I start it.  Hearing the car indicators click. That’s just a few.

Today I had a hearing test to determine if I have any residual hearing after having the surgery on my right ear and surprise, surprise I still have a lot of low frequency hearing left.  It was my high frequency that had been damaged years ago.

Today they ordered me a new hearing aid for my left ear that is compatible with and will talk to the cochlear processor.  That arrives in four weeks and will help my hearing greatly.

Overall I am very, very happy with how it is going.