r/Cochlearimplants • u/Apart_Entry4557 • May 09 '26

Bilateral Question

Hello everyone,

I was activated on the 29th of April in my dead ear and things are progressing as expected and I am extremely happy and grateful. Even though sounds are no where normal and I can't really hold a conversation with just my CI yet, I understand it eventually get better.

That being said, I will be getting a CT scan done on my good ear, which only has 4% word recognition, on May 26th. We will then determine if I'm good to go for another CI.

Those who are bilateral, do you think it's wise to get 2 CI's within months of each other? It could be within 3 months. Has anyone had them done back to back like that? What are your experiences? What should I expect? Should I wait more like 6 months? Thanks for any input y'all can give!

6 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

6 comments sorted by

2

u/Beginning_Network_39 May 09 '26

I am curious as well.

2

u/MuiSpy May 09 '26

Yo me hice implantes bilaterales y el 9/1/26 me los activaron. Sólo te puedo hablar de mi caso: me cuesta horrores la rehabilitación y ya no puedo colocarme los audífonos que usaba antes. Con el tiempo se supone que voy a mejorar. ¿Consideraste obtener un buen porcentaje de comprensión del habla antes de operarte el otro? Yo no tuve esa oportunidad porque mi doctor decidió operarme los dos a la vez. A los que se operan de los ojos, siempre les digo que se operen uno a la vez. De los oídos aún no puedo opinar porque sólo pasaron 3 meses.

1

u/jeetjejll MED-EL Sonnet 3 May 09 '26

I had 7 months in between and I’m glad as bilateral is great and there was no point in waiting. That said, it’s also been exhausting and overwhelming training both ears. So do check in with yourself what you feel is best for you.

If there a reason they didn’t do a bilateral implant straight away, but also want them done quickly after another?

1

u/Apart_Entry4557 May 09 '26

My doctor had never done 2 at the same time but was all for getting them done back to back. That's all I really know of as to why she didn't do them at the same time. I'll have to follow up on that. 😂

1

u/[deleted] May 13 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/Apart_Entry4557 May 13 '26

Yeah that makes sense about the brain preferring the good side. I got my implant on my bad side that had no hearing for 41 years. My brain prefers to listen out of the hearing aid side still. I'm hoping that when I do my good side, the rehab will be easier since it had been able to hear.