Four Things to Expect After Cochlear Implant Surgery [CC]

[@MrAuldphart]

Thanks a lot for this post Brian. I am in the early stages of getting a cochlear implant/s and you have helped me a great deal with your explanation.

[@BrianJohns]

Glad to hear this!

[@blueturtle3623]

Wow! You're doing really good with your speech! Thank you for the video, very informative.

[@BrianJohns]

Thank you!

[@spencerchandler8313]

Thank you for this video. I am getting my left side in two days and I was wondering about some of the issues.

[@neilvincent5571]

Thanks for the video, your an inspiration.

[@MichelleKorb-x7e]

I'm cochlear interviews and stories I'm researching I hope I can get it done too interesting and everybody's stories and what they have to say❤ thank you for sharing

[@BrianJohns]

Thank you for watching and commenting! Let me know if you have any questions!

[@david-9y]

Very encouraging to hear your thoughts coming from similar hearing loss situation. I have rubella induced loss since birth. Just found out my better ear has lost about 20db to the 100db range but worse is my 84% word discrimination is basically gone.

[@joehssstrat]

Thanks for your insights Brian. I'm bilaterally implanted as well, last surgery was March 2018. I had very few side effects, and now hear better than anytime in my life. My word & sentence recognition tests are >90%. Life is good! :-)

[@BrianJohns]

Excellent! I'm happy that you're happy! :-)

[@PriyankaPatil-gx6od]

What is the cost of both coclier

[@BrianJohns]

@@PriyankaPatil-gx6od It varies from country to country. Here in Canada(Ontario), it is fully covered.

[@tobinfonseca8678]

Hi Brian, great video! Thanks for sharing your story.

[@BrianJohns]

Thanks for dropping by and commenting. I'll be coming out with more videos soon! :-)

[@tragic_angieedits9183]

Wow Thanks So much!! I had mine since i was 6 and i been going through lots of hard stuff

[@Gnyanabgr]

Hard stuff like? Could u mention in detail please?

[@robgellner7707]

Hi Brian. I reached out in the comments in another one of your videos. I had my left ear CI implanted at Sunnybrook on the 25th of January, 2024. Thanks for sharing your experiences with post surgical issues. I had a really bad vertigo attack as I was leaving Sunnybrook that lasted about an hour and thankfully not much longer than that. My left ear certainly feels numb so it’s nice to know that the numbness will likely go away. Also had the sore throat but like you said it wasn’t too bad. I had tiniitus before and it’s about the same . Now I’m just waiting a month for my activation and my only worry is that I’ll get clarity of speech as my SSHL resulted in very distorted and garbled speech so I’m really hoping I get clarity back. I’ll find out Feb 27,24. Thanks again for your sharing.

[@BrianJohns]

Hi Rob, thanks for the update on your experiences so far. Just be patient with the process. The clarity may take a while due to the brain getting used to the cochlear sound. Take it day by day. Let us know how the activation went!

[@gloriagenzale3337]

Thank you for sharing your implant experience. My son who was implanted at the age of 6 years old and 1999, that was the best decision that we did as a family. He is now 30 years old and with a lot a lot of speech therapy. he now has an amazing life. He works for the town that we live in went to college graduate high school. I never limit him to anything I always told him just because you were born hearing impaired doesn’t mean you can’t reach for the stars so I’m so happy to see that you get to cochlea implant. Unfortunately he could only get one since he has 10% hearing on the right ear which is equivalent to a plane taking off we all know that we feel the planes taking off. Again, thank you for sharing your story. Looking forward to when they turn on your other implant. God bless you.🤟🏼

[@BrianJohns]

Thank you for watching the video and sharing your story about your son! It sounds like he has had an amazing journey with his cochlear implant!

[@justineaugust3016]

I was born deaf and had this surgery when I was 3.Its so interesting to see what I went through

[@lukevic3051]

U experience severe pain??

[@yogishah5]

How long after the activation does the loud banging in the ears keep happening? When is the first time we can hear real sound without the banging noise. The banging sound after activation is unbearable for 83 year old person who has been deaf for the last 70+ years.

[@angelicasysnila5476]

My dad is same age as yours and we were looking out for some information on cochlear implants for him!! Thanks a lot!!

[@BrianJohns]

Let me know if you have any questions. :-)

[@angelicasysnila5476]

@@BrianJohns sure 😊👍🏻

[@robroby10]

Thank you for this information Sir..

[@rsmarquez1]

Great video, Brian. I just had my cochlear implant in December 2021. I experienced all of these things but only a little light-headedness instead of vertigo. One more thing to expect is that your ear with the surgery will stick out, perhaps a lot. It is a month later now and my ear has settled back down to about half-way to its original position.

[@BrianJohns]

Hi Richard, I had the same situation with my ear. It did settle back into its original position after some period of time. Have you been activated yet?

[@cristi5629]

Hey man! Ill have mine activated Friday and I want to know if i will be able to hear through my headphones

[@rsmarquez1]

@@BrianJohns Hi Brian. Yes I was activated in January. My ear has settled back down to its normal placement. I've had about 4 tune-ups so far. It's amazing the technology works and I can actually hear sound with the deaf ear. However, due to the poor quality of the sound, I find it to be almost useless. My tinnitus seems a little better. In general it's annoying to listen to. Voices sound like someone who has inhaled helium but distorted as though listening to it underwater. Music sounds horrible and background noises are very shrill and annoying. So far no adjustments have really helped.

[@BrianJohns]

@@cristi5629 Give it time.

[@BrianJohns]

@@rsmarquez1 It took MONTHS for my brain to adjust to the cochlear implant sounds. Give it some time buddy!

[@casse.5122]

I recently had surgery on my Left side and my vertigo was gone by day 10. I did not have alot of hair shaved and I did not have staples on mine. Thank you for making this video for others.

[@BrianJohns]

Good luck with the activation! Different surgeons have different surgical techniques. What matters is the outcome......amazing clarity and a vastly improved life. :-)

[@thedon22z]

Thank you for your story. I have autoimmune deafness in both ears (right ear is gone and left ear is at 60% loss) I will be going to surgery in 3/2024. It has been a blessing to watch this video it has really helped ease some of my anxiety ❤

[@BrianJohns]

Thanks for stopping by and commenting! If you have any questions leading up to your surgery, feel free to ask! :-)

[@thedon22z]

@@BrianJohns I appreciate that so much, I am sure between now and march I will have some things that come to mind. Thanks and Happy Holidays ❤️

[@toryberch]

​@@BrianJohnsHi Brian 👋 I have some concerns for my husband who is 63 has had profound hearing loss for most of his adult years. He is going in Dec 3rd for his first implant How do we even begin to prepare for him losing all his hearing , like communication to fears? Any help would be appreciated please

[@BrianJohns]

@@toryberch Hello! Thanks for reaching out to me! There is, indeed, a period of uncertainty facing any cochlear implant patient. I can tell you that I lost my residual hearing in my both ears (particularly my left). That can be scary. But, to me, it has been WELL WORTH IT. The cochlear implants are amazing. There will be a period of adjustment once they are activated. You and others will have to be patient during this process. So will he! Let me know if you have more questions! 🙂

[@annamelven355]

Thank you so much for doing these videos! I am getting left CI in about a month and I am excited and have been trying to find anything that help with what to expect, activation, etc. So again, thank you!!!

[@BrianJohns]

No problem. Good luck with the surgery and activation! Just have some patience as you begin your journey. It's been amazing for me!

[@annamelven355]

@@BrianJohns thank you! Would you recommend taking more than a few days off for recovery after surgery? I work from home

[@BrianJohns]

@@annamelven355 Yes, I do. From my personal experience, I felt good enough to work from home by the 3rd day after both surgeries. Having said that, I slept quite a bit for a day or two after the surgeries.

[@annamelven355]

@@BrianJohns ok thank you! I am hoping he'll do surgery later in the week so I have weekend to rest up😉

[@happilyavaafter]

That’s exciting to hear you experienced environmental sounds you’d not previously ever heard! It’s truly miraculous. My father in law had cochlear implant sx about 10 days ago. He was pretty much totally deaf, but had minimal hearing with aids on both ears. My concern is that he claims he *cannot* hear *anything* starting at a week after the sx, even with his hearing aid on the one ear that does not have the implant. He can’t hear a thing now, where as before, he could hear somewhat with his hearing aids. He is 86 and has been mostly deaf for over 20 years (or longer). He lost most of his hearing due to being in artillery in the army for several decades. He is going in for an appointment tomorrow, but I have become quite concerned since he has not been able to hear a bit out of his left ear since Monday. Would you think it is normal to completely lose hearing in both ears after this procedure? Thank you for any insight you can provide.

[@BrianJohns]

Without my external processors, I cannot hear a thing out of either ear. It is common for cochlear implant surgery to destroy a person's residual hearing (on the implanted side). Has he had the surgery on both sides? I'm guessing that he has not been activated yet?

[@happilyavaafter]

Brian, thank you so much for your quick response. I appreciate it! He had no hearing at all in his left ear, so they decided to do the implant on that one (nothing to lose, they said), although I was surprised they recommended the surgery, given his age; it’s just tough for such an elderly person to be under general anesthesia, but he fared ok, and went home the same day, just as you. He will be activated around the first of February. Five days after sx, he woke up and couldn’t hear anything out of either ear. I hope they can puzzle this out. It might simply be that that last little bit of hearing diminished, coincidentally, nonetheless.

[@BrianJohns]

@@happilyavaafter Let me know how his appointment and activation goes! There's going to be a fair bit of work. So, I would counsel patience for both of you. But it'll be worth it! :-)

[@happilyavaafter]

Brian Johns, I sure will! Thank you so, so much! He lives with his wife, 2 hours from here, but I think they’re a good team! 😉📝 🙏🏻

[@marthadyke243]

Lavender, how is your Father’s hearing now?

[@irenehumphries1910]

Thank you Brian

[@callsignghozt]

Love this video. Last year I was informed that I also need a CI on my right side if a hearing aid didn’t work. I can’t hear anything out of that side and my left side isn’t so bad but things are muffled. Hearing loss in both ears as well as being Deaf on my right. They cleaned my ears last month with my left ear being fine and hardly anything in my right. They also looked over my papers and confirmed both sides do have hearing loss, if they can’t find anything then they want to do some images. Does that mean an MRI or CT scan?? I’m not nervous, just curious as to how they would do that.

[@BrianJohns]

Based on my experience, it’ll most likely be a CT scan. Please come back and keep me posted on your journey!

[@callsignghozt]

@@BrianJohns ah that’s not bad, and yeah definitely will come back and let you know what they decide to do! Having to get a new audiologist/ENT because the one I had, wasn’t good because he would’ve rather listened to my mom(bio) and didn’t take what I said seriously. He said I “passed” the last hearing test he did when I couldn’t hear anything they gave me. I go back this month so not sure if they’re going to tell me anything about it.

[@suzannemistretta9275]

i just got a ci. its not activated yet. i did not realize how long the vertigo and dizzyiness last. Its no joke. I know it will be worth it . i have never experienced dizzyness like this.

[@BrianJohns]

Hang in there and be patient. It may take some time to get through the vertigo issue. If it lasts too long, don't hesitate to tell your audiologist and CI doctor about it.

[@Andrewlohbihler]

Hi Brain, great video and thanks for sharing. I am getting a CI as well. I would like to know more about the sound quality and your hearing adaptive experience.

[@BrianJohns]

Sorry for the slow response. I will post more in the future. :-)

[@quietone748]

You and I were born the same year. When you and I were kids the thought of being able to hear through an implant would have been the stuff of science fiction comics. My great nephew, eight, was born profoundly deaf in both ears and has had his cochlear implant surgery, but he doesn't like wearing the earpiece because the sound scares him. :(

[@stevenelson3515]

I’ve gone through the evaluation for a CI and been cleared for my right ear. I declined the surgery at this time for a couple of reasons. First was that my main interest in the CI was for hearing in noisy situations and for better appreciation of music. The audiologists I worked with at Stanford,as well as the surgeon,all said that there would not be much of a improvement,if any, from a CI. The second reason is I’m rather superstitious. I had abdominal surgery in 2004 and again in 2010. I had surgery to remove a malignant lesion from my kidney in 2016. The CI would have been performed in 2022. Everything six years apart. I wanted to break that cycle. LOL. I’m going for my annual hearing test in March, so we’ll see what the results are. If there’s any degradation in my right ear, we’ll have to take another look at the CI surgery.

[@BrianJohns]

Thanks for watching my video and sharing your story! Keep me posted on your evaluation in March!

[@donaldtrumpy5914]

Me i'm planning to get cochlear implant because i have no eardrum in my right ear due to infection..

[@BrianJohns]

Good luck with the surgery and activation. Keep us posted!

[@Baycydney]

My 53 yr old daughter is having the cochlear implant surgery on 5/16/2023. She has had a profound high frequency hearing loss since birth and has struggled with hearing aids until recently her hearing has all but disappeared. Here’s my question… how can her family best support her as she goes through the adaptation process?

[@BrianJohns]

Thanks for watching the video and for your question. My answer to your question is as follows: 1. Don't expect a miracle. There is a high likelihood that she will not comprehend much at the beginning. Her brain will take a while to adjust to the CI sound. I went through the same thing. 2. She may indicate that the sounds are robotic or weird. That's normal and to be expected at the beginning. The sounds will become more natural over time. 3. My speech comprehension without lipreading is much better than before CIs. That said, I still depend heavily on lipreading. That will never change. If your daughter is a lipreader, she will probably stay that way. Expecting her to comprehend speech without lipreading might be too much pressure. In short, giving her time and space would be the best way to support her. I hope that the surgery goes well for her. Thanks for dropping by!

[@Baycydney]

@@BrianJohns ❤❤❤❤

[@captainplanet3901]

Im thinking about getting a cochlear implant in my right ear i pray that God move through me and everyone on this post that are getting the cochlear implant

[@BrianJohns]

Good luck!

[@ubahhussein206]

Feed back bro , are you gets cl

[@edithseelhoff3471]

i got a cloe clear implamt a couple months ago ive been deaf in my left all my life im just starting to hear voices its sounding like robots talking

[@rickhenson7256]

My wife just had the surgery but it has caused her Meniers to act up really bad and she is constantly dizzy

[@BrianJohns]

I'm sorry to hear that. I hope that medication helps with that condition!

[@juancarlosnavas1]

Did you have tinnitus before the implants and how it changed afterwards?

[@user-xl7gy3hv8i]

I am curious about Cochlear Implant. I am deaf whole my life for 35 years as present. how much cost Cochlear Implant and everything utility costs in Oklahoma?

[@BrianJohns]

According to Google, without insurance, they can cost up to $50,000 per. Have you been evaluated by an audiologist? And see if your health insurance can cover it.

[@treywilson2790]

i have a hearing aids and a cochlear implant

[@CharlesEBright]

My doctor suggested that I get the implant surgery as well. I know I need it but I'll be honest I'm a bit scared of having surgery done. Were you scared at all of having the surgery done? My doctors have told me that I would be okay and I would be home the same day which made feel better but I'm still scared. I don't take pain well.

[@cristi5629]

Hello! I will have my osia implant activated Friday. Will I be able to hear through my headphones?

[@alihashimi1833]

What I should do i lost my hearing..?

[@BrianJohns]

I would start with an audiologist for an evaluation.

[@adv326]

how are you feeling now? did you experience any program adjustments? my dad is looking into this procedure and want to get as much information as possible. stay well.

[@BrianJohns]

Thank you for watching this video! My program has been adjusted a few times over the past few years. The last adjustment was about two years ago. It's been great. For me, it's a HUGE improvement over hearing aids. Feel free to ask me any questions!

[@mariacambray7947]

You could order all the stuff you need thru cochear

[@pake000]

I guess i was lucky, i had surgery in December and experienced no side effects. no stitches, no staples, my surgeon glued me back together, so no scar either

[@BrianJohns]

Sounds like things are going well for you. Have you been activated yet?

[@pake000]

@BrianJohns yes I have, and having one on one conversations very well. I'm truly impressed with the technology. Keep in mind, I was not born deaf, 15 years ago, I could have a conversation. The upsetting part is that I wish I knew about cochlear sooner.

[@Epiccuber]

How was the bandage / cover after the surgery like, like were you able to wear your glasses as your ear healed? My surgery date is September 30th and to be honest I can’t see well without my glasses at all

[@BrianJohns]

The bandage was on for 2 or 3 days. I was able to wear glasses after that. You may want to speak to the surgeon about this issue.

[@leroygooding6954]

what are they mentioning about having to learn to hear again.

[@BrianJohns]

It can take a while to adjust to the sound of the cochlear implants depending on the individual. In my case, it took about 3 to 4 weeks to understand speech. I'm still improving in this area to this day!

[@sassyd8738]

I had vertigo for almost a month It was a nightmare and it was so bad it is stopping me from doing the right side... was so bad they were trying to put me in a nursing home to work on getting my balance back instead I fought through the dizzyness and begin to walk until i got out the hospital and everyday walked 12 flight of stairs up and down three times a day until I was back to me it is something that makes me not want to do the right side I was un aware that it would take your balance out for a short time or longer it is that Fear that stops me for doing the surgery again

[@BrianJohns]

I am sorry that you had such severe vertigo issues. It varies from individual to individual. I hope that this does not hold you back from another surgery.

[@rtxrt73]

I just got my right ear implanted at the beginning of March (it's the only ear I could hear out of since I was born deaf in my left ear). Luckily for me I don't have any vertigo, but man oh man do I have tinnitus! I would definitely add that to this list to be honest, plus the feeling of fullness in the ear as swelling and fluid subside. But the first few days post surgery whenever I would lay down the fluid in my inner ear would level out and cause this tinnitus that sounded like a pressure cooker about to bust. It was definitely scary, but I was able to reach out to my surgeon and determine it was normal.. one last thing I would also add is to make sure if you are a CPAP user who is above 10 psi, that you work closely with your surgeon and pulmonologist to work out a plan. Otherwise using a CPAP at high pressure (basically anything over 8 to 10 psi) you may need to wrap your head or risk surgical site failure.. Can't wait to get activated at the end of March hopefully everything goes well! I'm happy to share my experiences with any one who has any questions!

[@BrianJohns]

Thanks for stopping by and sharing your experiences. Good luck with your activation. It's going to be an amazing journey!

[@Ntro_]

how did it go

[@rtxrt73]

@@Ntro_ it went very amazing... That was almost 3 years ago now and it's been quite the journey. At activation I was able to hear for the first time since surgery. At first everyone sounded about the same (like chipmunks huffing helium) but eventually it leveled out. It also took a while for music to sound normal again, but honestly I can say I am glad I did it. Before my implant hearing was a near impossibility, now I am more engaged with others around me and feel a part of the conversation.

[@tonyquinlan7341]

​@@rtxrt73Great you replied and you are doing well ,I will be getting my implant in next few weeks hopefully.

[@merelymg23]

How long was the surgery, and did you had to stay in the hospital?

[@BrianJohns]

The surgery is a couple of hours with time spent in the recovery area. I was discharged the same day, approximately 10 to 12 hours after checking in.

[@merelymg23]

Brian Johns thank you

[@Temir02]

Меня прооперивали на следующий день после госпитализации. После опперации головокружение не наблюдал. Выписали через 3 дня.Было введено некоторое количество уколов до и после опперации.Возможно эти уколы помогли избежать головокружения. Оперировали в Казахстане г.Астана.

[@fazalniyazmogral4748]

Any sideffects,complications after this surgery???loss of taste or nerve smelling???

[@BrianJohns]

I experienced slight vertigo (a common side effect) that lasted two or three days. Other than that, no side effects!

[@fazalniyazmogral4748]

Can you understand speech fully???

[@BrianJohns]

@@fazalniyazmogral4748 Much better! Since I was born deaf, I still rely on speech. But CIs have been FAR better than hearing aids for me.

[@fazalniyazmogral4748]

@@BrianJohnsIs it like machinary sound what yoy hear????

[@BrianJohns]

@@fazalniyazmogral4748 The sound will be artificial at first but become more natural as your brain adjusts. Nearly everyone goes through this. :-)

[@gemmataylor7048]

Hello Brian did you experience pain? Many thanks :)

[@BrianJohns]

Hi Gemma! I experienced pain for only a day or two after surgery. The more pressing issue was the numbness in the ear lobes which took awhile to resolve. It's all good now! Are you contemplating surgery?

[@gemmataylor7048]

+Brian Johns they have wanted me to get them for years. Hearing aids are useless :)

[@BrianJohns]

From my experience, CIs are well worth it! Have you gone for an evaluation?

[@LovedbyYah]

I'm really thinking about I see ent tomorrow for something else but I will say something

[@mariacambray7947]

Do do you get alot of head pain

[@BrianJohns]

I had some pain at the surgical site but it was about 2 or 3 on a scale of 1 to 10. Not too bad. Every patient will be different. Let me know if you have any other questions!

[@TwitchTickles.0]

Thank you

[@reneemanzoor746]

Thank you Brian, I am very worried about my father who had a sudden hearing loss in the right ear and almost going deaf in the left. Sunnybrook team is assessing him for a cochlear surgery....but it is taking forever. He is extremely depressed and housebound now. He needs emotional and mental support.

[@BrianJohns]

Hi Renee, the process can take time. I was assessed in January of 2013 and did not have the surgery until December 2013. 11 months wait. But, it was well worth it! I don't know if the timelines have changed since 2013 but hang in there!!

[@reneemanzoor746]

Brian Johns thank you Brian. We are all praying for my dad. He is a musician apart from being an engineer. His life depends on music and could not imagine without it. We are doing our best to get through with the Sunnybrook peer support to help him emotionally.

[@BrianJohns]

@@reneemanzoor746 Tell him that better days are ahead of him!

[@reneemanzoor746]

Brian Johns thank you Brian. Thank you for your well wishes and prayers.

[@sharonedwards2015]

Did they cut your hair

[@BrianJohns]

Yes, at the surgical site.

[@tenniskinsella7768]

2 weeks but gets better over time

[@tinperger9248]

Why is your cut so large?

[@BrianJohns]

For the second surgery, I had a different doctor who had his preferred method. He has retired. Old habits die hard! Everything turned out fantastic.

[@tinperger9248]

@@BrianJohns oh good to know.

[@jeanniestettler138]

I have vertigo all the time

[@BrianJohns]

Post surgery?

[@sassyd8738]

Once I had the surgery for Implant on left side Vertigo went away a lot I may have them now but so unnoticeable does not bother me . I wish they had a way to cut that out all the way so no one has to deal with it

[@alina1548]

I am deaf, and wear two cochlear Implants, since 13 years, iam 14years old

[@pankajbhatnagar4368]

you feel pain??

[@alina1548]

@@pankajbhatnagar4368 no I do not

[@ubahhussein206]

@@alina1548 can you hear speak now

[@jigishajoshi410]

hi my son is 2.9 yrs old recently he had his CI done he has vertigo right side. Anyone plz help how much time it takes to back to normal? he stopped walking bcz of this

[@BrianJohns]

How long ago did he have the surgery?

[@jigishajoshi410]

@@BrianJohns 18 days today

[@BrianJohns]

@@jigishajoshi410 Ok. Just over two weeks. GIve it time. Have you consulted with the doctor?

[@jigishajoshi410]

@@BrianJohns yes they said it's normal will take month to recover

[@BrianJohns]

@@jigishajoshi410 Ok, keep me posted!

[@caroletraynor6337]

Why are there no subs???

[@BrianJohns]

Carole Traynor Click the “cc” button on the bottom right right. I did the captioning myself.😎

[@saeedahmed28]

cuanto pires

[@haloguy420]

This thumbnail is just awful and misleading. I hope it doesnt deter people from getting an implant if they need it

[@sfnanoofk5913]

👎