My Cochlear Implant Surgery Experience [CC]

Hi Everyone. Thank you for watching this video about my surgery experience getting a cochlear implant with Southampton Auditory Implant Service. For more updates on my life please subscribe and follow my Instagram account.
Instagram: / nellefindlay
This video was filmed using a Google Pixel 4a Smartphone (affiliate link):
www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B...

[@Helenmaryjo]

You look so well in this video Nelle and your skin looks perfect! Glad you've come through the surgery so well and we've all got our fingers and toes crossed that the processor part of the procedure goes just as well. See you soon. xx

[@nellefindlay]

Thank you! It's amazing what a bit of tinited moisturiser can do. I'll keep you updated when I get the processor. See you soon. xx

[@iulianatatianina2160]

Thank you for sharing! I watched this in the middle of CI qualification process, and now after surgery.

[@nellefindlay]

I'm glad you've found it helpful. I hope you find your CI as good as I have found mine.

[@niravpandya7448]

Good to see your recovery. Hope you will heal soon and enjoy your life with beautiful rhythm. God bless you take care.

[@nellefindlay]

Hi, thank you for your comment. I'm pretty much completely recovered now. I've had the dressing taken off and I'm getting the processor activated next week. Thank you for your positive wishes. Nelle xx

[@accs9501]

I wish you a beautiful year and that you achieve all your goals. Thank God for your safety🤍

[@nellefindlay]

Thank you for your kind comment. I wish you all the best too. Nelle :)

[@nealeburgess6756]

Glad to know the op went well, and you are now feeling OK.

[@nellefindlay]

Thank you xx

[@WE3LSC1937]

I absolutely love the things around my legs to prevent blood clots, makes my legs feels soooo good.

[@martybuzz49]

I just love the way you tell a story, it makes me laugh. As I've said before, you'd do good stand up comedy.

[@nellefindlay]

Hi, thank you for your comment. I'm glad you enjoyed the video. I'm not sure if I'd be any good at stand up comedy, but I'm pretty willing to try anything once, so don't rule it out. Nelle xx

[@jerrysabino9079]

The VA just notified me I will be receiving my CI on 5 April for my SSD

[@nellefindlay]

Good Luck!

[@ingoscholz2073]

Thank you for this update. Still this fantastic humor (they apologized for the noise… 😂 - noise? what noise?). Stay the way. All the best for you.

[@nellefindlay]

Hi, thank you for your comment. I'm glad you enjoyed the video. Nelle xx

[@durturd]

Hope you are healing well! I had surgery last week Thursday to get a Bonebridge (bone conduction implant for conductive hearing loss). Look forward to seeing your review on the device when it gets activated! :)

[@nellefindlay]

Hi, thank you for your comment. I hope you're healing well after your surgery and that it all went well. I'm not sure what the healing process is like for BCHIs is like, but assuming it's similar to cochlear implants, you won't be far behind me getting it activated. I'll definitely keep the Internet updated on how I'm getting on with it once it's activated. Nelle xx

[@nelsangelin9667]

I agree, you look great and your incision is fine. No one would know at all. Sorry to hear you felt some sickness. I have had the two implants. I never was sick and went home the same day. It was strange for me, I had some bouts with vertigo, but not until six weeks after my surgery. That concerned the surgeon a little, so he reworked the first implant on that ear. So, that surgery was quite extended and when I woke up, I was really, really groggy. I still went home the same day, just much later. The nurse helping me to our car was very concerned for my stability but, I was so determined, I am ok! I can do this! LOL, It was wobbly, but, I did it! No sickness for me though. Your speech is very clear. I assume that at the time of this video, you did not have your activation yet. I take it you have a good hearing aid in the other ear that keeps your speech well. I was six weeks after surgery to activation but did not hear any words to understand at that time. Just garbled, strange sounds at first. (That was with the first implant) A day or two later, I heard a word. Then more and more my brain started relearning to identify and understand sounds and words. I am profoundly deaf but, with the cochlear, I hear near to normal by testing. My world has come back and my voice has changed from what it was lip reading only. I have to say that one implant, the first, gave me hearing. It was wonderful. Since I am completely deaf and needed the second implant, having both is really dramatic what the two together provides. It is like hearing with one headphone only and then with the two, it becomes perfect stereo. Cochlear is almost like a miracle to restore what was lost. It is not completely normal, because the normal is still missing. The joy is hearing footsteps and even hearing animals walking. I hear the wind and rain. Beautiful soft sounds of nature.

[@nellefindlay]

Hi, it's been over a year since I got my implant now. I am profoundly deaf in both ears, but I got my implant pretty quickly after losing my hearing so my speech wasn't too affected (although I do always make an effort to speak clearly in my videos so maybe my voice sounds a little different in real life). In the UK, adults are only able to get one implant free of charge, but since I've had such a fantastic result with the first one, I am trying to save up to get another. My cochlear implant has made things so much easier for me since I don't have to rely on lip reading as much. I am currently at University studying Modern Languages and am getting on really well with it. I'm glad to hear that cochlear implants have had a positive impact on your life too. Nelle :)

[@barrytaylorprofoundlydeafi2479]

Hi Nelle you looked so well! It seemed strange seeing that ear without your hearing aid in & the earmold! You are suddenly cured haha! Thank you for posting the picture of the hospital & bandage etc! It was amazing how little hair they took away & how small the wound is! When I had a stent put in my heart through my wrist a few years ago I had a pressure bandage which the nurse had to release every few hours so the blood did not come pouring out! I know what you mean about the taste of tablets if they don't disolve! So only around 3 weeks before activation? It did not look like you even had an operation! But like you I am still profoundly deaf so I still rely on captions! So I cannot hear your voice but friends I asked said your speech is still excellent! Will follow you on Instagram if that's ok? If new hearing aids don't help me I may well ask to be referred for a CI as things have come a long way in 20 yrs when I nearly got one,seeing you today & how well you look has made my mind up so thank you for letting us follow your hearing loss journey it mean a lot! Best wishes Barry xx

[@nellefindlay]

Hi, thank you for your comment. I'm glad you enjoyed the video. It's amazing what a bit of makeup can do! When I first got out of hospital I, according to my brother looked 'like a zombie'. I know, it's pretty impressive that they didn't have to shave much hair and the actual incision isn't very big at all. I haven't really had any pain from the incision at all. I just thought everyone was lying when they said they didn't have pain after surgery, but it turns out they're not. I'm glad you appreciate the captions. I don't pre plan what I'm going to say so the captions take ages because half the time I cannot work out what I was saying. I'm also rapidly realising that I talk like an idiot. My catchphrase should be "So like that's good." I wish you the best of luck if you go down the CI route. Think carefully about the decision though because I felt really awful after the surgery. Vertigo is no joke! Nelle xx

[@barrytaylorprofoundlydeafi2479]

@@nellefindlay I did not know if you or you tube did the captions! As they do auto generate them too! I never thought I would have to rely on captions! But I now know what you went through in April,ok I had a severe to profound loss but I suddenly went in to the profound section & what at the moment are the NHS's most powerful hearing aids not helping I am in the same boat as you! Like you with your CI I am hoping the latest NHS hearing aids will help me! Thank you for being honest about what you went through having your implant & vertigo I do suffer badly from vertigo! I am going to wait to see if a new hearing aid will help when I get an appointment! And how you get on when activated! I know everyone is different! You would have looked good at Halloween with the zombie look! 🤣 No wonder you are spoken for you are a lovely lady! Will & your family must have been your rock these past few months! Plus on the videos you tell it as you see it! 💜

[@barrytaylorprofoundlydeafi2479]

Hi Nelle it's now been 2 weeks since your implant surgery so I wanted to see how you are doing as I know you had some balance issues etc! Plus I wanted to wish you all the best for tomorrow 28th oct when you get your dressing checked etc! Bet you wish it was activation day! But all being well only 8 days to wait! As you have had normal hearing for 21 yrs I am interested in what an implant sounds like! If I have to go down that route it will be nice to know! I am still profoundly deaf just a few sounds & words & waiting for the NHS to get the new hearing aids to try! We are so lucky here in UK to get free hearing aids etc! Thank you for your kindness in keeping us informed of your hearing loss journey & trying to hear again! I know it can't be easy for you! But I expect u have learnt more BSL! So sending you positive vibes,I have a good feeling about your implant! But what hearing you get will be a bonus! Each year the processors get better & better! Best wishes to you,will & your family 💜

[@nellefindlay]

Hi, thank you for your comment. I'm doing completely fine. I don't have vertigo anymore and my balance is pretty much the same as before I got the cochlear implant. I didn't really have any balance function anyway so I'm surprised I got any vertigo at all. I'll definitely be keeping the internet updated about how my cochlear implant sounds. I wish you the best of luck with your new hearing aids when you get them. I have pretty high hopes for my cochlear implant but we'll wait and see what happens. Nelle xx

[@barrytaylorprofoundlydeafi2479]

Hi Nelle I was watching some really interesting CI videos on you tube! Thank goodness you tube & people uploading videos use captions! I found your X ray on Instagram very interesting! But the implant itself is very good! What I did not know is the coil that attaches to your head has different strength & size magnets! They go by your hair & skin thickness! You don't want it falling off or hurting the implanted site! I like the way the battery comes on & off! You were after suggestions for future video's so maybe show everyone the parts of your implants? I must admit I am dying to know what speech sounds like with a CI from someone who had normal hearing 6 mths ago! I am just grateful your keeping people of the internet updated every step of the way! And I know we will all get honest answers to what a CI sounds like etc! It did not hit me until you had tests to see if you were suitable for a CI that back in either 1998 or 99 I must have been deaf enough to be put forward for the assessment you had! But the risks scared me,mainly losing what residual hearing I had in that ear! You were honest enough to say how rubbish you felt for a few days after the implant! So once again thank you for deciding to do make videos about sudden hearing loss etc & how it's changed your life! 💜

[@nellefindlay]

Hi, thank you for your comment. I'm really glad for the captions on youtube. I can't watch anything without captions at the moment. Maybe I'll be able to when I have my implant switched on but who knows. I'm glad you found looking at my X-ray interesting. I had never seen one before mine! I'll definitely make a video explaining the kit for my cochlear implant (there is a lot of it, I got given a literal massive backpack). I thought I should also do a video explaining the differences between hearing aids and cochlear implants since I have both and can demonstrate how to use both. I'll definitely be making a video describing the sound of a cochlear implant after activation. Hopefully my future videos might help your decision on whether or not you would like to get a cochlear implant. I really want to demystify the experience of getting a cochlear implant. I'm glad you enjoy my videos. Nelle xx

[@WE3LSC1937]

11:38 I was given anti nausea patch behind the non operated on ear during surgery that lasts for 3 days and also a prescription for more patches for after 3 days if needed. I’m in the USA.

[@barrytaylorprofoundlydeafi2479]

Hi again Nelle I am now following you on Instagram! Plus I just read your cochlear implant surgery story on your website! When your profoundly deaf its was nice to see the story in writting! I know they have captions on here but it was more detailed on your website! Plus we now know your activation date is November 4th which is only two weeks away! I would love to see a live video of your activation if it was allowed & you felt comfortable sharing the moment? or if it's filmed & shown later! I bet fireworks will sound scary! I tend to leave my hearing aids out when fireworks are about! So I suggest all nelle's subscribers read all her stories on her website! Yes I did not have a dry eye after reading them! 💜

[@nellefindlay]

Hi, thank you for your comment. I'm glad you enjoyed the video. I don't think I will film the activation live because it is quite a long appointment and there will probably only be about 2 minutes that are actually interesting. I also might have to blur the audiologist's face in case they are not comfortable being on video. I'll definitely be filming it and uploading it later though so you will get to see it. I hope that is okay with you. I'm glad you enjoyed reading the stories on my website. Nelle xx

[@barrytaylorprofoundlydeafi2479]

@@nellefindlay thank you for your lovely reply! I am just happy with what you share with us! I have seen all the happy faces from people on you tube when they had their implant activated! The worst part about being profoundly deaf is i can't hear your voice! One subscriber said you would make a good stand up comic! You always come across as bubbly with quite a sense of humour with your replies! I hope your one of the lucky ones that an implant helps hear again! But as you know now once the hearing aids/CI are out at night like me your still profoundly deaf! Your stories on your website are worth reading very well written! And now your on Instagram it's a bonus ideal if you decide to post pictures! So once again thank you for sharing your hearing loss journey story! It has helped me! 💜

[@_beelani_]

Wow hi! Thanks for talking about the experience, I'm gonna get cochlear implant surgery as well (only on my right ear) for the first time probably this November or next February all in all the thought of having anaesthetic ( talking nonsense after the surgery while still have anaesthetic T.T) and surgery actually scares me huhu...because my hearing got a little bit worse and my mom wanted me to get a CI after years, I'm currently 20 now. I'm also a hearing aids user, do you still can wear those even after getting CI? Also seeing this vid inspired me to try making vids like this hehe

[@nellefindlay]

Honestly, my biggest fear was that I would say something really embarrassing with the anaesthetic. I've heard loads of stories of people doing really embarrassing stuff. I can still wear a hearing aid in my other ear, but in the ear with the implant I just wear the implant processor. Let me know if you decide to start making videos so I can watch them. :)

[@_beelani_]

aw thank you for replying ! :D I see yep you're so right! doing embarassing stuff because of anaesthetic T.T a big no huhu... I see so I can still wear my hearing aids :) I think I'll start making videos hehe, surely I'll let you know when it's out, thank you Nelle! @@nellefindlay

[@carlospires1491]

Bravo, vous êtes très courageuse et quelle belle énergie. je vous souhaite que du bon.

[@nellefindlay]

Merci pour votre commentaire. (je ne parle pas beaucoup francais). Nelle xx

[@jenniferharvey431]

Just catching up with your videos Nelle. I have a lot of pain at the moment still, 6 days after the op. How long will pain last? Did you have much pain? Many thanks for your informative videos. Xx

[@nellefindlay]

Hi, sorry for the late reply, I hope you're doing better now. I didn't really have a lot of pain after the surgery. I did have really bad vertigo though. I just took normal over the counter painkillers for the first few days. Pain is a very individual thing though and I don't have any specific advice. If it's still a problem, definitely speak to your doctor in case you have an infection or something.

[@barrytaylorprofoundlydeafi2479]

Hi Nelle I just received an email from my ent consultant confirming that my last bit of hearing loss is down to meniere's disease not usher's I have posted the email on your personal Instagram feed as I wanted you to see it as you been so helpful! As expected I have to wait for audiology to get the new Signia stretta UP hearing aid & where I am on the waiting list & perhaps think again about being referred for a CI in the new year! You have kept us informed all the way so I wanted to do the same 😊

[@nellefindlay]

Hi, thank you for your comment. I'm glad you're getting some answers for your hearing loss. I wish you the best of luck with your new hearing aids and I hope that if you do decide to go ahead with getting a CI, that it works for you. I'll definitely keep the internet updated about my experience with getting a CI. Nelle xx

[@barrytaylorprofoundlydeafi2479]

@@nellefindlay thank you for your kind words! I hope your activation goes well next month & you get some decent hearing! And you & Will can resume your life together! I think over the years people that suddenly lose their hearing will watch your video's & see what can be achieved with technology & determination! So thank you for helping me through a difficult time with my hearing loss 🧡

[@barrytaylorprofoundlydeafi2479]

@@nellefindlay thank you for your kind words! I hope your activation goes well next month & you get some decent hearing! And you & Will can resume your life together! I think over the years people that suddenly lose their hearing will watch your video's & see what can be achieved with technology & determination! So thank you for helping me through a difficult time with my hearing loss 🧡

[@irenelepley9916]

Thanks for this! I’m not quite sure where you are from? England or Australia? Are you in a lockdown?

[@nellefindlay]

Hi, I'm glad you enjoyed the video. I'm from England and we're currently not under lockdown restrictions here. Nelle xx

[@WE3LSC1937]

12:20 I was able to remove my bandages after 24 hours and keep prescription antibiotic ointment on it, then last week was petroleum Jelly..And now this final week nothing.. I had my CI surgery November 6, 2023

[@kaylasmusic]

When i had a tympanoplasty done, i was told i can’t eat from the night before till after surgery but could have water until 2 hours before going to the hospital.. my surgery was delayed but was supposed to be a bit earlier than it was,.. my experience was quite similar by the day of the surgery,.. i had pre op testing done by my physician but i hated the anesthesia, but the surgery was a success so was so worth it and im glad i did it. That’s so scary that you were sick,., they should have switched your antibiotics maybe.. you always need antibiotics after an operation because it needs to be protected against infection, if also need to be eating well after surgery so that you heal. I think you also got sick because you ate the day of the surgery and your never supposed to

[@nellefindlay]

Hi, I think my complications from the anaesthetic were very common and normal. The medical staff weren't concerned about it or anything. I did follow the pre operative instructions exactly as I was told so I don't think that caused any issues. It is very common to be sick after anaesthesia (not throwing up food, just stomach acid). I know it might sound kind of scary and dramatic, but I promise that everything was fine and I recovered within a normal timeframe so I don't want to scare anyone or put them off getting surgery if they need it. :)

[@kaylasmusic]

@@nellefindlay Yes, its normal, but im surprised that they told you you can eat the day of the operation.. Its normally recommended that you do not eat from the night before, and only having water up to two hours before arrival at the hospital (being if the surgery in middle of the day)

[@nellefindlay]

@@kaylasmusic hi, my surgery was at 7pm so that's why. I was allowed to eat until 11am because that's 8 hours.

[@kaylasmusic]

@@nellefindlay ya mine was supposed to be about 2 pm in the afternoon but was actually delayed until about 4:30 or so,. But i wasn’t allowed to eat anything from midnight the night before

[@stunitech]

Hi Nelle, I got my implant surgery back in May and just wondering how you've been getting on since? I've found mine to be great although obviously a bit strange 😂

[@nellefindlay]

It's definitely been an overall positive experience and I'm so glad I did it when I did. It is quite an adjustment. I've found it quite weird how much I can hear yet how much I still miss in conversation. Good luck getting used to your implant.

[@anneschilf1813]

Thanks for sharing your journey with us. How are you going now?

[@nellefindlay]

Hi, thank you for your comment. I'm glad you enjoyed the video. I'm completely fine now after my surgery. I'll get the dressing taken off on the 28th of October and the processor will be activated on the 4th of November.

[@tarmo8943]

@@nellefindlay That is impressive, my surgery is actually in 10 days, at 1st of november and activation is 2nd of november!

[@barrytaylorprofoundlydeafi2479]

Hi Nelle I hope I am not being a pain with my questions! I am grateful to your longer replies to my emails! I have sent you another email! You did mention the idea of whether you could get a CROS hearing aid with your implant! Well back in 2017 phonak brought out a CROS hearing aid to work with implants! Mainly I think the make American bionics? I think I know where your coming from! Get sound in to your left ear? I know you still not got an NHS hearing aid but I do believe once your implant is up and running your implant team will find the best powerful hearing aid that will help you hear more out of your left ear to work in conjunction with your implant! All any of us want that follow you on here is for you to get a decent amount of hearing back! You were fast tracked for a reason! But you are so right there is very little information out there about how well implanted people hear that only lost their hearing for a few months! Most you tube video's show people that have been deaf from birth or been deaf for a few years & not newly deafened! There is an air of mystery about what the implant sounds like compared with a hearing aid! So as you say there are going to be a lot more videos to make if you can find the time! You will help a lot of young people that are going or will go through what your going through! I have had a hearing loss since my mid 20's but 6 weeks ago like you I became profoundly deaf! So I cannot thank you enough for sharing what your going through! It gives people like me hope! If when I get the most powerful hearing aids the NHS do & they don't help! Then with your help on here with your implant I may be able to go down the same route! I know implant results vary from person to person! Some people can use a phone plus not use captions etc! But struggle in noisy surroundings! Plus if the implant team can get you hearing better with your hearing aid that would be a bonus! All I do know from watching videos is its a different way of hearing with an implant! So I want to wish you all the best for Thursday for your activation! And as you said how cool your gonna look with the new processor on your ear! Back in the 1970's there was a an American TV series called "the bionic woman" who had amazing hearing! Well 50 yrs on thats going to be you Nelle!! 💜

[@nellefindlay]

Hi, thank you for your comment. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get the compatible implant that works with a CROS system. My implant is from the Cochlear brand and they don't do a CROS. I might email them or something and see if they might be working on something like that. My left hearing aid is a really good high powered hearing aid so I think I've already pretty much got the best. I might be completely fine with just the implant on my right side to be honest, I don't really get that much from hearing aids anyway. I'll definitely make a video about what my hearing sounds like with a cochlear implant vs with a hearing aid. I'm glad my videos have helped you and I wish you the best of luck with your recent hearing loss. I definitely think I'm glamourous enough to pull off a cochlear implant processor! I'll make it work in a kind of futuristic cyborg sort of way. Nelle xx

[@barrytaylorprofoundlydeafi2479]

@@nellefindlay this is not a chat up line as I don't do that plus your spoken for! But you are very attractive! Got a lovely smile & I don't think you will be hiding your processor as it's a lot cooler than a hearing aid! I am glad your happy with the hearing aid you have got! Much as we both think our hearing aids don't help much even now being profoundly deaf I still keep mine in! As there is still some sound I can hear & an odd muffled word! I hope you charged the processor up ready & read all the stuff they gave you! It's good in a way you had hearing for 21yrs it must be a shock for those that have never heard a thing! I hope you sight has healed enough! So wish my audiology department had my new hearing aids at least then I would know if I may be joining you down the implant road! All the best for tomorrow 4th will be thinking of you! I know you got to have all the mapping first then activate all the electrodes! 💜

[@phoenixmode6909]

You pause for thought a lot. So do I . I haven't had a cochlear implant (just yet, going to wait and see how a specialized hearing aid might help, first) but yes, I pause for thought a LOT throughout a day. I attribute that to my having to adjust to the distraction of my hearing loss and tinnitus. (I have Ménière's disease, and while the nausea and dizzy spells are manageable for me right now, the hearing loss and loud tinnitus are my main concerns, as my Meniere's ear is my right, the only ear I've ever had since north-- am completely deaf in my left. ) I've noticed as the hearing has declined, I've had to pause for thought mid sentence quite a bit. I've been wondering whether, when I get my hearing aid, and/ or when I go for an implant, if I ever do, if I will have an adjustment period where suddenly I have to pause for thought a lot as I adjust to the new hearing!

[@nellefindlay]

Hi, I'm not sure if my pausing a lot has anything to do with my hearing loss or if that is just how I talk. I would assume in my case that it's probably not related to my hearing and it probably more connected to being on the autism spectrum (I was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome when I was 10) which means that it takes me a bit longer to process information. For me, my family hasn't really noticed any change in the way I speak since my hearing loss or getting my implant, but that's just me. I hope this answers your question.

[@dewainew5903]

How long did you have all.those bandages wrapped around your head?

[@nellefindlay]

Only one night after the surgery. After that I just had a little dressing behind my ear for about two weeks.

[@grizzley109]

Was your tinnitus affected at all after the surgery?

[@nellefindlay]

Hi, thank you for your comment. In my case the tinnitus wasn't affected, but it is a pretty common side effect that a lot of people get with cochlear implants. I hope this helps! Nelle xx

[@englandcalling9721]

Hello, Nelle of the internet. Delighted your operation went well, you look bright-eyed and bushy tailed. Do you have any idea when you'll get your cochlear processor?

[@nellefindlay]

Hi, thank you for your comment. Is the 'people of the internet' thing weird? I didn't really know what to say in my first video because it's kind of awkward talking to a camera and it kind of stuck. I'm also glad it went well. The first few days I was feeling awful and the phrases 'This had better be bloody worth it.' and 'If I ever say I want to get the other ear done, don't let me.' were uttered frequently. Now I feel completely normal. I'll be getting my processor on the 4th of November.

[@englandcalling9721]

@@nellefindlay No, I think it's a great way to introduce yourself, it's very you. Less than 2 weeks and you'll have the poshest of ear apparel. Apple earbuds, pah! I'll be thinking of you on the 4th.

[@rajab149]

I am having a surgery next month I am quite nervous cochlear implant

[@nellefindlay]

Good luck getting your cochlear implant. I've had mine for 10 months now and I'm getting on really well with it.

[@nelsangelin9667]

@@nellefindlay You have yours by now and I trust it is opening up your world for you again. Hearing aids for me is no comparison to the clarity and range of cochlear.

[@veyselkurt7362]

Cochlear implant mı yaptırdın carina mi acaba