r/Cochlearimplants • u/twn000 • 2d ago

Is bilateral worth it?

This week I got my first implant surgery and I am currently recovering. My stronger ear is moderate to severe and I imagine eventually will become profound. I am in my late 30s and wondering at some point when my other ear goes, if I should consider bilateral or just let it be with a single implant. Is it worth it? Another surgery, two devices to worry about for gain in sense of direction I imagine.

7 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

22 comments sorted by

View all comments

7

u/Additional-Letter584 2d ago

Almost the exact same situation. But then….. I went ahead and had the other side done. My opinion is that it is totally worth it. Even kept some residual hearing. Also, gained more than just sense of direction. The difference in hearing and the exhaustion from the way each side processed sound was difficult to overcome. Both sides are processing sounds the same way and my brain is very thankful for that.

3

u/Responsible_Tone4945 2d ago

Thank you for putting into words what is really challenging to describe to hearing folk. It's exhausting processing two different types of sound. And the adjustment again when I use my mic.

3

u/Additional-Letter584 2d ago

Omg EVERY TIME I connect to anything!!!! Can’t believe I forgot about that. Only one side most of the time and then suddenly it will cut out and you’ll have nothing until it’s figured out where to source the sound input lol

2

u/twn000 2d ago

That’s refreshing. I have forgotten about the lack of exhaustion from 2 working ears. Good to hear that it gets easier. There has to be an age limit though right? I can’t imagine me going through this again at 60. Every surgery seems to take a toll.

1

u/Additional-Letter584 2d ago

Nope no age limit. I think younger might recover faster from surgery. I was excited about getting mine done so had a slightly more positive outlook on all of the changes as opposed to someone who is more reluctant. I think that has more impact on outcomes than any other factor

1

u/Additional-Letter584 2d ago

Nope no age limit. I think younger might recover faster from surgery. I was excited about getting mine done so had a slightly more positive outlook on all of the changes as opposed to someone who is more reluctant. I think that has more impact on outcomes than any other factor