Getting a cochlear implant - Leah's experience

See Leah's story unfold as she goes on the journey to receive a cochlear implant through SCIC Cochlear Implant Program, an RIDBC service.

[@donnikubbitz2146]

The massive change in her speech makes me, well, speechless! It's incredible how her pronunciation has gotten so much more clear!! W O W. I hope she's happy as hell and if not, pft, I am!! Just amazing.

[@SusanDaleful]

What a courageous, beautiful, intelligent woman telling a courageous, beautiful story of getting back to life. Thank you.

[@wbrenne]

It's amazing how her speech improved! It was difficult to understand her during the first interview because the hard cononants (s, t, p, ...) were almost missing. In the last interview, they were there, and there was no problem any more to understand her.

[@dalehenry5233]

Beautiful lady with a lovely smile, well done Leah. I am a deaf Australian man who now has a cochlear implant. I was born deaf in both ears, and can say my cochlear implant gives me access to more sounds then any hearing aid ever did. It has improved my life in many ways too, I can now hear much better then I did in the 3 years prior to being implanted. So many sounds I had never heard in my life. Bluetooth is awesome for phone calls and music, it does sound a little different from before but it is awesome. I noticed your speech improved quite well in this video. 👍🏻 Good luck in your new journey as a cochlear implant wearer.

[@DaxRaider]

amazing how her speech improved

[@doniaschloot6283]

I bet it was awesome to hear your cat! 💜🐾. It was super epic to hear my cats purr & meow when I got my cochlear implants.

[@babden]

Dont know why, but this invited a few ninjas to come and cut some onions in my livingroom. Awesome story, im happy for you

[@MrAuldphart]

Thank you so much for your post Leah. I am having my first of two Implants fitted on 21st February. Your post has helped me enormously and I followed your road to success with envy. I am 71 years old and I understand that this is not going to be a pushover. The Audiologist made this quite clear when I first visited the Melbourne Royal Eye and Ear Hospital last July. Thank you for the story of your journey, I am eager (though somewhat nervous) about getting mine done but I will look back on your determination as an inspiration.

[@billmacelroy7577]

A lovely, bright young woman. Congratulations to her.

[@Brissieskater1]

Wow! This video clearly demonstrates just how technology can help people in their ability to hear - I genuinely hope that all people with hearing difficulties can be assisted for a better future.

[@brentmoore3778]

When people smile,they are so beautiful,but she is just radiant.

[@111111111Tiger]

What a beautiful lady ! Leah, BRAVO ! Job well done ! Thanks for sharing your experience ! LOVE your English accent ! You sound outstanding !

[@spencecollins]

Thank you for showing this video. I'm going for my assessment tomorrow and I am so nervous but watching Leah on the video is something that I can discuss this further with the specialist.

[@justdancetm2731]

11 months later.. how you've been... hope u doing great!!!

[@louismartinez5729]

Such a beautiful woman.. You are an inspiration to people that have lost their hearing.❤

[@GorgeGeorg]

I like these videos - they give out nice warm fuzzy feelings. This was probably the best in that they showed her improvement at the end over a period of time: 6 months; 1 year; 18 months.

[@stevethomas-cc5lz]

im having this done next spring 2019. i hope it works as well for me

[@diviengii]

It will work just fine. Im so happy for you. Make the vid.

[@joanna4680]

Hey! How did it go?😃

[@Yorgarazgreece]

would also be interested to know how did it go. I've heard that you hear the sounds robotic.

[@alexhamilton3522]

How'd it go? If you wanna listen to some extremely colorful music, look up WildStylez Hardstyle.

[@newfoundland1956]

I hope it worked out for you

[@pettyeddie2000]

She's a beautiful woman. Very brave and amazing. And to top it off she's a PINK FLOYD fan.

[@jondrummond3540]

So happy for you, hen; such an inspiring journey. Have a great life and haste ye back to Scotland... :)

[@RosaLichtenstein01]

So happy for you, Leah!

[@seeyawouldntwannabeya347]

Thanks for the great video Leah. I have meniere's disease and have lost most of my hearing. I finally became a Cochlear Implant candidate and have had the operation. I am waiting the 4 Week healing process before the switch on. I too have retreated from society because of my hearing difficulties. It's just so tiring to try to communicate. Now I have been through the operation and everything went very well for me. I CANNOT WAIT FOR THE TURN ON! I am glad you put that part about the music in because that is something I miss the most about my hearing problems. I hope I am as lucky with the music as you are. Thanks again for the video.

[@robkrasinski6217]

Is it like a major surgery where they give you general anesthesia and knock you out completely and you wake up groggy in a recovery room? I hate surgeries like that. I hate going under because sometimes it makes me sick and vomit afterwards. I had some big surgeries when I was younger.

[@iluvj50]

How are you doing one year later?

[@craigfowler7098]

That was a brilliant uplifting documentary. Thanks for sharing your journey

[@pilotguychris7217]

What a beautiful story.. Thank you so much for sharing it.. So happy it has worked out for you..

[@audifreaket]

So nice to see the progress under 1,5 year. It is an amazing journey and i am so happy for you.

[@FEJK82]

She wants to hear her cat meow... I LOVE this woman!

[@phillipbateman2284]

A wonderful story. Leah, you're amazing, thank you for sharing, and take care.

[@andrewclement1431]

I wish you continued success in your healing process.Congratulations to you and the best of luck to you.😊

[@martymcmannis9121]

Leah, You are the most beautiful lady who I have ever seen and heard. I would love you even if you could not hear me say I love you. Very glad that things are going well for you. God bless all

[@marekvollach7831]

HER SPEEEEEEECH .....and enunciation has improved :) :) :)

[@dillonmalone3792]

Audiologist: Leah, tell me when you can hear my voice Leah: Why does everyone talk like Chibbs from Sons of Anarchy?

[@j.settle6448]

What a beautiful woman!! Happy for her.

[@MrTact1]

I just love those first 10 seconds :-)

[@neatrepeat]

So what about her cat what did you think about her cats voice

[@whiteribbonman1]

Thumbs-Up #268 I am Tuesday 14 January 2020! I am SO happy for her! 😀

[@gamerxd3961]

Absolutely amazing ❤️❤️I’m due mine soon xxx

[@nicholasevangelisto8264]

Amazing !

[@RonRay]

Has anyone else noticed that all these videos to do with HEARING have low volumes at the beginning... Is that on purpose? ...Toward the end of the video, the volume comes up... a little.

[@martymcmannis9121]

geez girl, Leah, I just want to hold you.

[@romanadam206]

She's georgeus

[@jeffscott2840]

You are brave stay strong my story is much the same as yours

[@timl.b.2095]

I couldn't watch the whole thing. Being somewhat hearing challenged myself, I don't see why you had to add music here and there to make it harder.

[@flangepipe1]

Thank the Australian Doctor who invented it.

[@user-hh2is9kg9j]

Austrian*

[@cleong5585]

@@user-hh2is9kg9j Graeme Clark is Australian not Austrian.

[@gilgamesht1482]

I did the surgery I'm now waiting for my cochlear device

[@michaelphillips4250]

How is it going for you now that you have the cochlear implant? I almost got an implant but backed out due to being scared of the surgery.

[@joanna4680]

How is it going?😃

[@nolaschultz5451]

I just tried to comment but it’s all disappeared

[@OffTheLineFox]

Is this surgery painful? Webst ic it doesn't work? I love music so much and fear missing it.

[@joanna4680]

With surgery you are under anesthesia, dont be afraid ☺️

[@joanna4680]

And not everybody is candidate for a CI, you should talk about this with your doctor!

[@seeyawouldntwannabeya347]

I love music also. I have serve hearing loss in my right ear and some loss in my left ear. When I try to listen to my favorite songs they sound bad not like I remember them. I sing to myself in my head to remember what the music sounds like. I am getting evaluated for CI in a few weeks. I cannot wait to start this process.

[@MrBonediver]

Who the fk gives a thumbs down!!!!

[@gilgamesht1482]

In the beginning of the video u sounded like a deaf person.. but u sounded normal in the end...🤘

[@larrywt656]

She likes Pink Floyd. She has great taste!

[@stevethomas-cc5lz]

she should pop some metallica in.

[@solarlovesjiminsjams4716]

I go to next sense school

[@mrcoolcanon]

You have to play PUBG with speakers.

[@sevimcepni4008]

U

[@kirstiepreston6024]

7

[@andreasgrunenberg8010]

[@MrBuzzthecat]

Your speech improved alot by the end of the video. Love your cat's name.I live in Mmemphis and have 3 cats...

[@leonardo47000]

Gorgeous inside and out. Thank you for sharing you pain and joy.

[@leonardo47000]

Yay girl! Pink Floyd is my favorite band too!

[@fookutube501]

No way,she sound really good

[@leemiller1688]

Love it fills the heart with joy and make me smile

[@sandralopez8807]

God bless you, young lady. I am so happy for you!!!

[@grbradsk]

What's interesting is that her speech has also markedly improved 18 months later, her voice tone has gone higher up into a female range I'd guess because she's hearing the higher frequencies again. Before, her voice was quite base, the only thing she could hear. Now it's shifted up and the phonemes are more distinct.

[@ΑπόλλωνΘηρευτής]

I'm very glad for you beauty, life is yours keep rockin'!

[@katritter6482]

the most important thing she did not mention.. could she hear her cat meow?

[@kidneedonor8088]

So glad for you, you're great!

[@StreetFighter2010]

I was wondering what the echo was.. then saw the video screen. ☺️

[@evsta100]

I know this a bit old but when Pink Floyd was mentioned , LOL one of my 3 best concerts and a great song to pick. Blows my mind that you still have the accent LOL. How is that possible. If you see this I hope life is treating you well. Nice

[@cmg7583]

I believe lipreading must be exhausting.......

[@mrsseasea]

She has great taste in music. My favorite band is Pink Floyd. I hope she gets to see Rodger or equal in person.

[@neiss2]

It’s so funny how at the beginning she basically had no accent when she spoke and one year later she’s got a deep accent 😁👍

[@paullord911]

A very Beautiful Women Indeed!

[@richardsylvanus2717]

Hot plus likes Pink Floyd!

[@kaylasmusic]

Wait did you need both sides?

[@Hexnilium]

♥️ Memphis

[@indiantinamorals5791]

Thank you so much for the whole video, with all the updates, credit to you all involved for giving us the whole story/updates on progress, God bless you all

[@mrthaiboy9738]

i would like them to explain how base sounds like

[@dunderdotten]

I am most impressed by this woman! WOW what a wonderful person

[@FlyingPhilUK]

Pink Floyd, Wish You Were Here! What great taste!

[@susanstewart1871]

Wow Leah, it's early morning and Susan and just showed me this video and can't believe the journey you've been on all these years. It was just the other week we were watching videos from the Wickerman. It really goes to show that moving to the other side of the world was the best thing you ever did. Watching this was very emotional and we wish you the very best in life. You're a Scottish Thistle that will always grow xxx

[@peninakanini3843]

Awesome, my 12_years old daughter getting ready for cochlea. Very inspiring

[@patstokes3615]

Very Nice