My audiologist for hearing aids told me he had done everything he could for me so we discussed cochlear implants. The ENT he is associated with referred me to my surgeon. My guy happens to be an Otologist. There are six in my state so they are not common. He and his partner make up one third of them. They only handle ears. That's all they do. If you are Medicare eligible then they pay for them. They are NOT considered hearing aids but durable medical equipment so everything that comes with them is paid for including the batteries. You have to complete an FDA mandated test on comprehension and if you fall below the threshold and qualify then you are eligible for the implant. You have to be below on both ears to qualify for one implant if I understood correctly.
The surgery was 1.5 hours outpatient and was truly a piece of cake for me. I took Tylenol for pain three times I think and that was it. From the first day I put the processor on I was hearing sounds I have not heard in decades. I do not hear them at the quality I should yet but that will come. The fact that I hear them and can hear them so soon is amazing. I am even having conversation with family members with just the implant and I understand what is being said. I had difficulty doing that with my hearing aids. Everything is helium voice right now but I'm tickled that things are where they are. Your mileage may vary but I can only tell you what my experience is.
Once I am up and fully functional on this implant then I will have the right ear done.
One of the reasons I'm posting here is because there are so many of us with hearing problems and I want folks to understand that there are solutions out there and Medicare does pay for them. I am not Medicare eligible yet but it does pay for them. I was fortunate enough to have great insurance. My cost to date has been $240.40. Yeah, pretty spectacular. Thanks, God.
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