Sensorineural hearing loss

Cochlear technology helped Kristina have access to sounds, including the sound of her fiancé proposing

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Kristina, diagnosed with hearing loss at 3 years old, received her first cochlear implant at 6 and a second one 11 years later. Despite emotional challenges, Cochlear’s support and innovative technology have greatly improved her life. Kristina now works in Deaf Education, building meaningful relationships and enhancing her skills in hearing technology. Read about her experience here:

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“I am a proud bilateral cochlear implant recipient using Cochlear’s hearing solutions. I was medically diagnosed with sensorineural hearing loss in both ears when I turned 3-years-old. What caused my hearing loss was and is still unknown today.

Kristina, whose cochlear implants helped give her access to sound, looking over her shoulder and smiling in her wedding dress. A "Hear now. And always" tattoo is visible on her back shoulder. My hearing loss journey

I was a hearing aid user until I was 6 years old. My hearing in my right ear went from mild to moderate to profound loss. That was when I was identified as a candidate for a cochlear implant. Fast forward 11 years later, I went profoundly deaf in my left ear. I decided to move forward with a second cochlear implant. My hearing loss journey is not linear. I went through a series of emotions. However, I keep reminding myself that I worked hard to get where I am today. Cochlear’s slogan ‘Hear Now. And Always.’ has followed me since my hearing implant journey started.

I’ve worked with Cochlear’s customer services. They go above and beyond for their customers. They’ve been there for me both emotionally and financially, ensuring that I was able to maximize my insurance benefits for coverage1. Without the support of their customer service team, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

Without my two sound processors, I wouldn’t have access to everyday sounds. The everyday sounds I could miss out on are the sound of a clock ticking, the sound of the raindrops, the sound of the birds chirping, the sound of people chattering and more day-to-day sounds.

A picture of Kristina holding her phone out above her bouquet on her wedding day, and adjusting the Nucleus Smart App settings on her cell phone. Technology for now, and always

Furthermore, technology and accessories allow me to hear every day. Cochlear has a feature that changed my life forever. This Bluetooth® connectivity helps me to listen to music while running or working out. This same Bluetooth technology allows me to listen to phone calls2.

The Nucleus Smart App3 is a wonderful tool to use. The app allows me to check the battery life of my sound processors, adjust the volume control, change the program if needed and turn on the mini mic accessory in a noisy environment.

I did not have access to underwater sounds with my older technology devices until I received my current sound processors. With the Aqua+4, I can now hear underwater and the ocean waves crashing. I feel more confident with them now than I was before. I know with the future technology, they will continue to advance.

My two sound processors allowed me to experience the most memorable moments. In November 2021, My husband asked and signed to me, ‘Will you marry me?’ On Sept. 10, 2022, I heard my husband’s wedding vows he wrote. Those are the moments that I will never forget.

Being a bilateral cochlear implant user inspired me to work in the Deaf Education field. Being in the Deaf Education field allows me to build everlasting impactful relationships with students and families. My work helped me increase my skills in mending and troubleshooting hearing technology such as cochlear implants, bone-anchored hearing aids and behind-the-ear hearing aids.”

If you have used hearing aids, and are no longer receiving benefits like Kristina, cochlear implants may be able to help you have access to sounds. Learn about this technology here.

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  1. Contact your insurance company or local Hearing Implant Specialist to determine your eligibility for coverage.
  2. For a full list of smartphone and app compatible devices, visit: www.cochlear.com/compatibility.
  3. Nucleus Smart App is available on App Store and Google Play. For compatibility information, visit www.Cochlear.com/compatibility.
  4. The Nucleus 7 Sound Processor with Aqua+ is water resistant to level IP68 of the International Standard IEC60529. This water protection means that the sound processor with the Aqua+ can be continuously submerged under water to a depth of 3 meters (9 ft and 9 in) for up to 2 hours. This water protection only applies when you use a Cochlear Standard Rechargeable Battery Module or Cochlear Compact Rechargeable Battery Module. The Nucleus 7 Sound Processor is water- resistant without the Nucleus Aqua+ accessory to level of IP57 of the International Standard IEC60529 when used with rechargeable batteries.
  5. The Bluetooth® word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by Cochlear is under license.
Jesse Griego
Jesse Griego is the Associate Social Media Manager at Cochlear Americas. He finds inspiration daily in the resiliency of our recipients and their hearing journeys. Jesse is a Colorado native and in his free time enjoys being a wrestling coach, playing guitar and being with his hound dog.

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