A journal of a journey from silence to hearing.

Second consultation

2006-09-27T17:19:00.000-07:00

Today, I had my follow-up appointment with my surgeon. First thing he did was take my CT scans and look at them. After a few minutes of doing so, he returned to the room and began by peering into my right ear (the ear that we want to implant). He noticed something on the CT film and wanted to check my ear drum to see what it was. He then placed a camera inside my ear and showed the ear drum on a monitor. What we saw really made my jaw drop. The ear drum had fallen down a good degree and the middle ear bones are now visible through a thin layer of tissue (they had not penetrated however). Near the top where the bones were showing, there was a small cavity that appeared to have a wax buildup. He cleaned this off and found that the blockage had caused a minor infection in which I am now treating with Ciprodex (ciprofloxacin) drops. He was tempted to put a tube in right then, but felt that the drops should take care of it as it didn't appear to be a serious infection...I am feeling no pain at all from it. Also, he stated that my bones are deteriating but this is not a problem as my hearing loss occurs in my cochlea, not within the middle ear.

As for implanting this ear, he is unsure of what to do considering the condition my ear drum is in. He printed out color images of what was shown on the monitor and will be sending them to a few other experienced surgeons that he knows and see what they think should be done. He has never had a case like this in the past (so I guess he's learning something from me :). Though he doubts that this will be a problem, he said he may have to do a tissue graft to rebuild the eardrum. He stated that he will call us back within 10 days and let us know his conclusion. If nothing needs to be done to the eardrum, then he will give me an implant surgery date on the phone when he calls!! I had gone in with high hopes of getting a surgery date today, so this was a little disheartening. However, he told me that the choice was mine and if I wanted to leave the eardrum as it is and go ahead and schedule for implanting, then he would do so. I told him that I respected his expertise and would do what he thinks is best.

After looking at my cochlea in the CT films, he also noted that the passages in both the right and left cochlea are very narrow and that he may not be able to insert all 22 channels. This is a little disheartening, but thanks to the wonderful people that participate in the discussions on the Nucleus mailing lists, I know of several cases where recipients could only have a partial insertion, yet they do wonderful with their implants.

Report: First consultation with implant surgeon

2006-09-07T16:52:00.000-07:00

Well folks, it's been a while since I've posted anything and I finally having something noteworthy to add. Yesterday (9/6/06) I saw my surgeon, Dr. B. Joseph Touma, for the first time. The results:

I told Dr. Touma about my hearing loss history (see my profile). He then directed me to one of his audiologists just down the hall and I was tested in a booth. After a rather short test, the audiologist knew that I had a complete loss and then proceeded to present my graph to the doctor. A bit later the doctor came into the room and advised that I am still a candidate for a cochlear implant and went on to further his prognosis and findings. He stated that he noticed that my right tympanum (ear drum) had collapsed due to scar tissue buildup from past ear infections. He then said that the structure of the 3 bones behind the tympanum (malleus, incus, and stapes) may have structural damage in which could pose a problem with implanting this ear as this is the area he will be working in the most. A CT scan will reveal all he needs to know and will then study the scan to see what he can do.

He went on to give a description on the implant procedure, his methods and a description on the technology itself. I was then told that I will see him in 3-4 weeks in order to allow time for my CT scan, bloodwork and overall physical. During this time he will be studying my CT scans closely and try his best to ensure that he can implant my right ear. I had gone in with the hopes of having my right ear implanted as this is the only ear I have ever heard from prior to losing it when i was 17 (1995). Dr. Touma also stated that in general he strives to implant the ear that recieved the most recent stimulation. If this is not possible in my case, then my left ear will have to be the recieving side. This has me concerned as I have not had any stimulation in this ear thus the auditory cortex (nerve pathways) is most undoubtedly underdeveloped if any at all. In light of this, I was also told by Dr. Touma that the right ear has not recieved stimulation for 11 years and this could be a factor in deteriation of the auditory cortex on this side as well. And lastly, my final reason for wanting my right side implanted is due to the fact that I am faced with a constant tinnitus in my right ear which has been going nonstop for the past 11 years. I was told that the implant stimulation may or may not relieve this and if so then it's an added bonus.

At then end of this evaluation I was told by Dr. Touma that when I see him again on 9/27/06 he will discuss his findings with me and give me a surgery date!! I'm assuming the surgery will take place early to mid October which could mean I'll be on my way to hearing before the holidays!!!!

I'll post more results as time goes on!

-Bill

Impatience takes a toll...

2006-07-23T20:30:00.000-07:00

I'm not one for patience...not by far! It is one month until the ball is placed on the long, winding track. One month until that ball is released.

The future beholds....

2006-07-14T18:14:00.000-07:00

This is my blog. There are no other blogs like it. It is my own, unique blog. This blog is a place for me to upload my thoughts. I will be revealing my trials and tribulations after being infused with a Cochlear Implant. A cochlear implant is a computer device which is implanted into a hearing impaired persons cochlea to create a synthetic perception of sound. As time goes on, my state of hearing will re-develop and re-grow and I will be faced with new challenges everyday! I will submit to the blog the challenges I face and reveal the ways I dealt with them. General experiences and occasional nonsensical babble may also be posted here...you are warned! ;) Enjoy my blog (sarcasm intended)!

Chck out my profile for more info regarding my hearing loss.