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**tommyalf** · 2009-10-05, 01:33

Good luck with this Alex! I know you've been excited about it for some time. Just remember to do what the doctor's tell. Healing takes time so don't try to push yourself before you get the ok.

**AA 1818** · 2009-10-05, 01:56

Best of luck with the surgery and the recovery, and I sincerely hope that all goes well. Also, do you have any research sites that explain the process a bit. I would love to see how it is explained, and further how people's lives improove with the surgeries. Alex, please do not remain silent about futher developements. I cannot wait to see and hear more about your progress. Once again, best of luck, and hopefully before long, you'll be making jokes about 'those damn passengers that annoy me onboard...".

**DeltaFlyer** · 2009-10-05, 04:02

Best of luck!!!

That has to be a very scary and very esciting prospect...You were wise to spend alot of time doing the research, something alot of people dont do on medical procedures...

Keep us updated...

**brianw999** · 2009-10-05, 06:36

Good luck to you Alex. If it helps at all, one of my colleagues who is a rapid response paramedic has a cochlear implant and gets on very well with it.
Our only complaint is that he keeps telling us that we don't need to shout anymore !!
I'm certain you will be delighted with the result.

**TheRealAncientMarine** · 2009-10-05, 07:40

Alex, do your thing and screw those others. Go ahead, stay the course. If it doesn't work you have at least given it a try.
Best of luck to you!
Per

**Brad1711** · 2009-10-05, 15:16

Originally posted by ATrude777 View Post

Hey All-

I don't normally make posts about myself or anything but felt with such a large network here and also I have many friends on this website, and some of you are Facebook friends with me and already know the recent developments in my life. Many of you all know I am Deaf. However the past year I have been heavily involved in researching, meeting with and checking things out in response to the possibility of a cochlear implant surgery to help fix my hearing and hopefully hear better.

I know we have other deaf members on this website, and I have lost a lot of friends some that are deaf because they lost "respect" that I was "leaving" the deaf world" and joining the hearing world. The fact is, the CI is designed to improve social life, work life, relationships, all areas in between, and I am at the low point in regards to hearing. I cannot get any worse.

So because of all this I went ahead and decided to investigate getting the implant. It took over a year of making a case, fighting with insurance to get approval and whatnot. After months of appointments and whatnot I was given approval to get the cochlear implant.

October 23rd, 2009 will be the date of my surgery. I will have the cochlear done on my left ear. I hope in due time, it works so that I can advance my career at SWA and maybe become a Flight Attendant. Many of you all know I am employed by SWA, and took a leave of absence, partly due to my hearing loss. I will not go into details what went on in public, but that was a big driving force in having me check the CI out.

So I just wanted to update those who did not know about the recent developments in my life regarding my hearing loss and hope it improves my life big time regarding being deaf.

Any questions, comments are welcome. For those of you that are against the CI, feel free to voice it but I have done the research for over a year and feel comfortable to go ahead with it.

Alex

Best of luck with the CI!!! I'm 21 years old, was born with about 80% hearing, and am down to probably 60-70% now. Deafness seems to run on my mother's side of the family, with her brother being 90% deaf and several others with poor hearing, so I worry that I'll lose more as the years go on. I've been hearing (no pun intended) a little about these Cochlear Implants, and they sound pretty marvelous--hopefully someday they can help me. Here's hoping that it is successful for you!

**ATrude777** · 2009-10-06, 20:57

Tom- I kno you won't let me forget!

Thanks!

AA1818- I think the best thing is to google it and wiki has tremendous information on it too. The short version from what I know of is it is a type of magnet/wire that gets inserted into the cochlea that vibrates from sounds, and replaces the hair cells/nerves inside out ear. The vibration will sound through into our brain (from the wires planted) and our brain responds to it and we "hear" It works the "Same way" as hearing folks do but with technological help! That is the basic of it and goes A LOT further than that.

DeltaFlyer- Ya for sure. I wanted to take awhile to research and meet others with the CI and I felt comfortable at this time to go through it, and my b/f at the time, now my ex but in good terms, was a huge part of helping me get through it, so between him and other friends and family I felt this was the right decision in the end to help myself.

Brian-Thanks and that is funny to hear! I am sure I will be the same to my folks!

Ancient-Thanks too and I am certainly intending to go that way!

Brad-My surgery is in STL at Barnes-Jewish, are you attending school there or what? Send a PM if you can or want to I'd love to discuss it with you and keep you updated, are you on Facebook?

Alex

**HB-IHC** · 2009-10-06, 21:30

I hope it all goes well for you Alex. I was reading an article in the press today about a young girl who has just been fitted with the smallest implant ever and how this was set to change people's lives, so I'm hoping that's just the effect you'll get!

Errr..

I know we have other deaf members on this website, and I have lost a lot of friends some that are deaf because they lost "respect" that I was "leaving" the deaf world" and joining the hearing world.

... for what it's worth...

... I wouldn't worry what others think because if they can't accept you for who you are, whether you have hearing or not, have 2 arms / legs or not, are white, black, yellow, red or any other skin colour etc. then they can't be friends in the first place... it's impossible. Nothing to lose!

All the best,

Paul

**3WE** · 2009-10-06, 23:39

Alex:

I did not know of your hearing limitations.

If your surgery works well, you might find that you despise those turboprop rides from Marion to STL.

**ATrude777** · 2009-10-07, 01:02

Originally posted by 3WE View Post

Alex:

I did not know of your hearing limitations.

If your surgery works well, you might find that you despise those turboprop rides from Marion to STL.

Hahahaha on the side note have you been keeping up with the MWA-STL service? We are losing Great Lakes, and sounds like Cape Air will be chosen by DOT to fly SIX daily MWA-STL on the Cessna 402's. Not too bad!

But thanks, and I can't imagine I would despise sounds of ANY aircraft type! haha

Paul-- thanks for the comment that sounds helpful too!

Alex

**3WE** · 2009-10-07, 17:00

Originally posted by ATrude777 View Post

Hahahaha on the side note have you been keeping up with the MWA-STL service? We are losing Great Lakes, and sounds like Cape Air will be chosen by DOT to fly SIX daily MWA-STL on the Cessna 402's. Not too bad!

But thanks, and I can't imagine I would despise sounds of ANY aircraft type! haha

Paul-- thanks for the comment that sounds helpful too!

Alex

I don't follow Marion/Carbondale-STL....I follow Cape Girardeau-STL.

I had not heard that Cape Air was a done deal or that Great Lakes was gone, BUT DID HEAR that they were doing new proposals with all those players and a few more...

...But Cape Air to Cape Girardeau has a certain ring to it. I'm afraid there's no bringing back TWA-era commuter service!!! Although perhaps Southwest needs a regional partner

I love the roar of a good old 1960's jet plane....but the turboprop buzz (when you are stuck on the INSIDE listening to it) does get old

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