Becky H. suffered from single-sided deafness (SSD) after a medical issue caused her to faint. This year, she was able to upgrade to the Baha® 5 Sound Processor making life and her relationships with her family more enjoyable since she can hear clearly with two ears:
“My name is Becky, and I am 46 years old. In the summer 2011, when I was 39 years old, I suffered from a third degree heart block episode, which caused me to faint suddenly.
As a result from fainting, I fractured my skull and the bones in my right ear. Because of this, I lost all hearing in my right ear and had single-sided deafness (SSD).
Throughout the year following, I worked to recover from this health incident. I received a pacemaker because of the heart block and was in therapy to relieve vertigo that was caused by the head injury. During this time, I was introduced to a wonderful otolaryngologist to help me with my vertigo. Through my relationship with him, he told me about the Baha® System that he was certain would benefit me.
The following summer, I was feeling better and ready to focus on improving my hearing. I decided to go forward with the Baha System. On October 31, 2012 I received the Baha Connect System and in January 2013 my first Baha sound processor was activated. WOW! I was so happy to be able to hear more normally again.
This fall I learned about the Baha 5 Sound Processor upgrade. I was fascinated by the Bluetooth® and Made for iPhone capabilities this new device offered. Cochlear helped me with the upgrade process by contacting my insurance company, which made the experience of ordering the device simple and easy.
I am impressed with Cochlear’s customer service. They were sensitive, caring and answered all of my questions. My new device arrived two short weeks ago from time of writing, and I have been wearing it nonstop ever since!
The sound quality is crystal clear; so clear that I don’t even know I am wearing it most of the time. I can now enjoy weekly Mass at my church and my daughter’s band concerts. My daughter and husband appreciate my ‘better hearing’ because they don’t have to repeat themselves and feel that I am a better listener too.
I can hear better when talking on the phone because my phone connects direct to my Baha 5 Sound Processor. I don’t need headphones anymore to listen to music either! It is difficult to find a good one-ear earphone. I love that I can hear my students whispering in class. Even they are surprised that I am hearing so well with my Baha 5. My students loved ‘testing it out’ as well. They could not believe how it works!
The battery on my Baha 5 lasts a whole week, and I wear my device full time.* I also love the Baha Smart App. The functionality is simple, and it makes it easy to control my Baha 5 Sound Processor from my phone.
This updated Baha device has positively affected me by improving my quality of life. Thank you Cochlear!”
For more information to treat your single-sided deafness, visit Cochlear.com/US/SSD.
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.
Cochlear Baha 5 Sound Processors are compatible with iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone 8, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 7, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6, iPhone SE, iPhone 5s, iPhone 5c, iPhone 5, iPad Pro (12.9 inch), iPad Pro (9.7 inch), iPad Air 2, iPad Air, iPad mini 4, iPad mini 3, iPad mini 2, iPad mini, iPad (4th generation), iPod touch (6th generation) and iPod touch (5th generation) using iOS 7 or later.
* Battery life may vary.
