Born with bilateral hearing loss and dealing with a bout of health issues in her adult life, Kathleen experienced difficulties in hearing her family. This significantly impacted her life and led to challenging miscommunications. After researching cochlear implants, she determined that would be her best path forward. Now with bilateral cochlear implants, Kathleen can hear her family again and enjoy life’s little moments. Read her story here:
“I was born with bilateral, congenital hearing loss, and in July 2010, an episode of severe anemia resulted in a sudden decrease in my hearing sensitivity, tinnitus and disequilibrium. Two months later, my symptoms resolved except for the hearing loss. Although I had been born with severe to profound hearing loss, the loss of the residual hearing was a severe impact and I was now totally deaf. I was using hearing aids, but they provided no access to hearing.
The impact of hearing loss on my life and family
Imagine the sound of your sons’ screams, unable to distinguish if it was playful or frightened. Envision not hearing your sons as they requested a snack, tattling on a brother or simply wanting a hug.
My husband, Devan, recalls he became the communication liaison as he attempted to prevent the frustrations and our miscommunication within our family. Devan recalls how our children now went to him as I watched from the sidelines, becoming saddened at the turn of events. Miscommunication led to misunderstandings and frustrations among all of us.
Devan knew that I wanted to hear our children and our loved ones; they are the reason I moved forward with cochlear implantation. I missed being a part of our family, filled with stories, laughter, where each of us was heard, valued and connected. I was an outsider looking in, as my lipreading skills provided limited benefit without its’ partner, ‘hearing.’ I had hoped the cochlear implant would allow me to hear environmental noise, which could indicate if they were playing or in unsafe situations.
Fact based research leads to cochlear implants
I chose Cochlear after researching on my own and confirming my findings with my ear, nose and throat (ENT) doctor. The reasons were due to the company’s longevity, implant reliability1, the aesthetics of the processors, the fact it was the smallest on the market2 and it offered the opportunity to listen to music via wired cables! This was the first of its kind back in 2010 and today, it provides Bluetooth® streaming3 which is my personal favorite feature as I listen to music, and podcasts, without the need for any cables or cords!
Soon after becoming a cochlear implant recipient, it was a miraculous journey filled with happy tears as I heard what the world had to offer. I could hear my children’s footsteps running in the hallway, understand my husband talking from behind me. For the first time in my life, I heard bees buzzing, the sound of snow underneath my footsteps, the wind howling as branches creaked.
This was not possible during my lifetime with hearing aids. As a result, our lives changed, and it has broadened and enlightened my world. Devan shared with me that he loves my independence, and that I have blossomed from the shadows of who I once was. The cochlear implant has provided me with the benefits such as hearing the whispers and boisterous laughter of my sons, listening to music, hummingbirds in flight, talking on the cellphone3.
One the largest benefits I have received from my sound processor was gaining the ability to listen and respond in that moment. I proceeded with a second cochlear implant nine months later and now I had the ability of ‘surround sound,’ and identifying where the sound was coming from!
Feature rich hearing solutions
As a bilateral Cochlear™ Nucleus® 8 Sound Processor recipient, I use the Made for iPhone® capabilities and the Nucleus Smart App4, which allows me to make changes to the volume, programs, or setting the audio sources for the Mini Mic or TV Streamer. I love having the ability with my iPhone to stream music directly to my Nucleus 8 Sound Processors or via CarPlay®.
My favorite daily accessory is the Mini Mic, ideal for plugging into my work laptop and participating in meetings. My go to vacation accessory is my Aqua+ for Nucleus 8 Sound Processor5, for snorkeling, kayaking and other water activities.
Life now…and in the future
My hobbies include photography, kayaking and traveling with my husband and occasionally, our sons. We recently enjoyed a full household family reunion with our adult sons, their girlfriends and my parents in the mountains! Hearing the laughter of my sons, the teasing by my husband, participating in fast-paced conversations along with the sounds of hummingbirds and woodpeckers made this a joyful time.
I love working in the field of early intervention; my experiences and knowledge provides awareness to families who have a Deaf/Hard of Hearing child. The families I work with are provided information and support within the child’s developmental stages, understanding of hearing differences, hearing technology and language acquisition. My hearing journey and cochlear implant technology provide parents an insight and hope for their child as they navigate through their own journey.
For our future, we look forward to traveling across the USA and Italy, as we plan for retirement and time with our family. My family and I deeply appreciate the cochlear implant technology as it has been a continuously miraculous experience, thanks to Cochlear’s motto of ‘Hear Now & Always.’”
Kathleen was also recognized as Cochlear’s 2017 Hear-O of the Year Award Winner. To read about that opportunity and Kathleen’s advocacy, click here!
If hearing loss is effecting your ability to communicate and hear your family, cochlear implants may be able to help! Learn about our hearing solutions today.
7References
- Cochlear Limited. D2182827 V1 2024-03. Cochlear Nucleus Reliability Report (Simplified) Volume 22, December 2023.
- Advanced Bionics Reliability Report July 2024. 028-Q048-02 Rev F. Advanced Bionics AG and affiliates.; 2024.
- MED-EL Cochlear Implant Systems Reliability Report April 2024. M00815 r4.0. MED-EL Medical Electronics.; 2024.
- Cochlear Limited. D1190805, Processor Size Comparison
- Based on comparable implant generations released by Cochlear, MED-EL and Advanced Bionics using each manufacturer’s first published CSP data at 7 and 15 years.
- Compared to Nucleus 6 and Nucleus 7 sound processors.
- For a full list of smartphone and app compatible devices, visit: www.cochlear.com/compatibility.
- Nucleus Smart App is available on App Store and Google Play. For compatibility information, visit www.Cochlear.com/compatibility.
- The Nucleus 8 Sound Processor with Aqua+ is dust and water resistant to level of IP68 of the International Standard IEC60529 when you use a Cochlear Power Extend Rechargeable Battery Module or Cochlear Compact Rechargeable Battery Module. The Nucleus 8 Sound Processor with Aqua+ can be continuously submerged under water to a depth of up to 3 meters for up to 2 hours. The Aqua+ accessory should be used when participating in prolonged water activities. Refer to the relevant user guide for more information.
- 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.
- Apple, CarPlay, iPhone and Made for iPhone logo are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.
