Surgery is Set!

A few weeks ago James and I went to Mayo Clinic in Rochester to have him evaluated for cochlear implants. The first day we met with 2 Audiologists from the cochlear implant team. We did a lot of talking and discussing. We talked about James medical and hearing history, how he does now with hearing, what cochlear implants do, what we could expect from a cochlear implant and on and on. They also did some testing with James. The testing was somewhat similar to what he's always had done but a little different. Instead of putting him in a soundbooth along and watching for his reaction they had one person in the control room and one person in the soundbooth with him. That way they could watch his eyes and movements more closely to get a more accurate read on what levels and frequencies he can hear.
After doing the testing and reviewing the Auditory Brain Response testing we did in Fargo, they agree with the diagnosis of Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder. They took a look as his ABR that was done in Marshfield the first 2 times before he got hearing aides and it appears he's had Auditory Neuropathy all along. This upset me quite a bit. As they explained to me how to read and audiogram and ABR it was quite clear to me that he's always had Auditory Neuropathy. I felt like we've lost all these years doing something that hasn't helped him at all. I realize that had we known this years ago it doesn't mean James would be speaking, but I do think he'd have much better listening skills and his communication could be in a better place than it is right now.

But I can't dwell on that and I have to move on. And so we are. We had a second appointment with the cochlear implant team Audiologists and they gave us some insight into what we could realistically expect from James with a cochlear implant and what kind of follow-up and therapy he'll have to do. They also reviewed the different types of devices. There are 3 devices, all pretty similar. We chose one that can be worn off the ear and is also waterproof and can be worn swimming and in the bathtub.

Lastly we saw the surgeon. That was a pretty quick and painless visit. James will have an MRI the day before surgery and if he has an auditory nerve, the cochlear implant is a go the next day.

October 2nd at 11am will be the MRI and October 3rd will be surgery! We can't wait!