When Skylynn received a cochlear implant, her world opened up with new opportunities, even inspiring a last-minute career change to pursue audiology. Now a Cochlear volunteer and deeply involved in the cochlear implant community, she shares how representation gives her hope, confidence and motivation to do the same for others.
“Growing up in a small town, I only knew one other student with hearing aids and no one with a cochlear implant. The only other people I knew with hearing loss were my sister and father. We assume my hearing loss is due to genetic factors because my family members and I have identical audiograms and hearing loss. However, recent genetic testing did not reveal a known genetic factor or mutation. I spent my entire childhood feeling so different and left out because of my hearing loss; it was very lonely, and sometimes it still can be.
I’ve gained so much from my cochlear implant—most importantly, my confidence and identity. Don’t get me wrong, I still have days where I struggle with both, but I’ve experienced a huge positive upward trend. Not to mention, getting a cochlear implant indirectly opened so many amazing windows for me, such as mentoring others, volunteering for hearing loss organizations, meeting amazing people in the cochlear implant community and prompting an entire career change.
Overcoming surgery hesitations
Pursuing a cochlear implant didn’t happen overnight for me. It was a conversation I had multiple times, starting from when I was 15 years old. I finally went through with it nearly five years later. I had only known hearing aids my whole life, so the thought of surgery and a cochlear implant was scary to me. My head was full of “what-ifs?” Ironically, what changed my mind was when my audiologist said, “One day you will be in the operating room and your co-workers will be wearing masks. Are you confident that you will be able to hear and understand them without seeing their lips?” That stuck with me and was a valid point, which is why I chose to do the surgery. Of course, life never goes as planned, and instead of being in the operating room, I am in the sound booth with others with hearing loss, hearing aids and cochlear implants.
I have a behind-the-ear Cochlear™ Nucleus® Sound Processor and an off-the-ear Kanso Sound Processor. After activation, I exclusively used the Kanso Sound Processor. I was excited to have a ‘free ear’ after having hearing aids for most of my life. I also had some embarrassment at the time of activation, and the Kanso was easier to hide. However, within the last few weeks, I began wearing my Nucleus Sound Processor more frequently. I like having options, and now I switch out the devices randomly. I love using the Cochlear True Wireless Mini Microphone 2+ and use it daily in the clinic while conducting hearing evaluations. It allows the patient’s voice to stream directly to my devices, instead of needing to wear a headset over my devices, and gives me more clarity.
Changing career course
For as long as I can remember, I dreamed of becoming a physician. As a senior in college, I was on track to embark on the journey to medical school. Then, during my cochlear implant evaluation, I met an extern who was bimodal like me (a cochlear implant on one ear with a hearing aid on the other), and she instantly inspired me. I remember not feeling so alone. She gave me such a sense of hope and community, and I began to think, “This is an amazing feeling, and I want to be the person who can inspire hope and foster community for other young people like me.”
So, on a whim in November of my senior year, I looked up the top 10 doctor of audiology programs, applied, took my Graduate Record Examination (GRE), and had faith that if audiology was meant for me, it would happen. To my surprise, it did! I ended up at the second-best audiology program in the country. It was scary going out on that limb, especially so close to the end of undergrad and the beginning of medical school.
I am so glad that I leaped—life only improved from there. I have become less ashamed of my hearing loss, and I am passionate about finding resources and ways to connect with other cochlear implant users.
Giving back to the community
I remember the little girl in me who was always embarrassed and shy and didn’t have anyone to talk to with a cochlear implant or hearing aids. So today, I try to be an advocate in any way that I can. I have been a guest speaker for the Dallas Hearing Foundation’s LoneStar Cochlear Clan, which has been wonderful. I also reignited the Dallas chapter of the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) with the help of my late friend, who unexpectedly passed away. I had to temporarily relocate to Las Vegas for my 4th-year audiology externship. I plan to pick it back up as soon as I return to Dallas and keep it going in my friend’s memory.
I also volunteer as a summer camp counselor at the Listen Foundation’s cochlear implant camp in Estes Park, Colorado. It has truly been one of the most amazing things I have been a part of. Better hearing helps me as a volunteer because I’m more confident telling my story and experiences. My next project is to launch a blog or social media brand that serves as a source of support, community, hope and advocacy for those with cochlear implants or on the path to getting them.
My favorite part about being a Cochlear volunteer is meeting people at different stages in their journey and helping with personal questions that an audiologist might not be able to answer. I have no problem being vulnerable if it means being a positive influence for someone else. I was also named one of Cochlear’s Community Hear-o Winners for 2024—a huge honor.
Advice for others
For those considering a cochlear implant, my top piece of advice is to trust the process—patience is key! It is not an overnight, magic fix, but it is so worth it in the long run. It’s also important to move through your cochlear implant journey on your unique timeline. Only you know what you are ready for.
It will not be easy, but it will be worth it. My implant was activated in January 2020. We all know what came in March 2020. Masks and social distancing heavily impacted my implant experience and significantly delayed my success. However, with hearing rehabilitation resources, I trucked along. It was either that or give up with the implant and only have one poorly functioning ear. I finally got to a point where I am comfortable and happy with my cochlear implant. I don’t say this to deter anyone; I say it to emphasize how important it is to remember the light at the end of the tunnel on the hard days. I couldn’t imagine my life now had I not decided to get my implant.”
If you’re struggling to hear with hearing aids, discover how a cochlear implant can provide clarity and help you make the most of life.
