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The Cochlear Implant Journey – Part 5

Adapting to Hearing the World Around You

After activation, the recipient will likely be hearing many sounds that they have not heard in a while. What they are hearing could also have a different sound quality than what they remember. It is important to practice listening through auditory training. The recipient is learning to listen in a new way so training the auditory system is a very important step in the cochlear implant journey. In conjunction with the use of traditional auditory training programs, I recommend reading a book while listening to the audio version and taking listening walks. A listening walk would require the patient to select a walking partner. As they hear sounds they are not familiar with, their walking partner can confirm what they heard. With practice and regular mapping adjustments, the recipient’s perception of speech and environmental sounds should continually improve. Most recipients are seen by the audiologist 6-8 times in the first year for adjustments as the auditory system continues to adapt to the cochlear implant. After the first year, most patient’s will be seen 2 times a year for regular maintenance. If you think you are candidate or have more questions about cochlear implants, call Cardinal Hearing Centers to schedule a consult.

Written by:
Dale Hansen
Published on:
October 13, 2020
Thoughts:
13 Comments

Categories: Cochlear Implant, Educational, Hearing, Miscellaneous, New Technology, Patient careTags: Auditory Training, Cleveland area cochlear implant, Cochlear Implant, cochlear implant mapping and programming, Programming for cochlear implant

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Tiffany

    October 13, 2020 at 1:06 pm

    I really like the idea of a walking partner!

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    • Richard Reikowski

      October 15, 2020 at 6:24 am

      Agree Tiffany!

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  2. Gail

    October 13, 2020 at 1:24 pm

    This part of the CI journey sounds exciting!

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    • Kaylee Porter

      October 14, 2020 at 9:15 am

      It really is!

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      • Richard Reikowski

        October 15, 2020 at 6:24 am

        🙂

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    • Richard Reikowski

      October 15, 2020 at 6:24 am

      Yes, it actually does Gail!

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  3. Dale Hansen

    October 14, 2020 at 8:45 am

    I am always amazed at how we hear with our brains as well as our ears. The brain will and does adapt.

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    • Richard Reikowski

      October 15, 2020 at 6:24 am

      Great point Dale. Isn’t it amazing to see how the brain adapts to the input.

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  4. Richard Reikowski

    October 15, 2020 at 6:26 am

    I liked this very much! Listening walks was a great suggestion! Yes, we are here to help those understand and live with the cochlear implant!

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  5. Amy

    November 9, 2020 at 9:09 am

    I took a listening walk with my friend, she couldn’t identify a train whistle in the distance and was so excited to hear it.

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    • Dale Hansen

      November 9, 2020 at 9:42 am

      That is something to witness.

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    • Kaylee Porter

      November 9, 2020 at 9:56 am

      It’s a fun and interesting experience for both people!

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      • Richard Reikowski

        November 11, 2020 at 6:02 am

        Yes, it sure is!

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