Two ImplantsThe Good, The Bad and The Ugly

Understanding the parents perspective in the cochlear-implantdecision making process, and learning from successes

and challenges of a bilaterally implanted child.

Taunya Paxton, MotherPleasant Grove, Utah

Obligatory Faculty Disclosure Information

In the past 12 months, I have not had a significant financial interest or other relationship with the manufacturer(s) of the product(s) or

provider(s) of the service(s) that will be discussed in my presentation.

This presentation will not include discussion of pharmaceuticals or devices that have not been approved by the FDA.

Agenda

Our Story: The Timeline To Implant or Not To Implant The Decision to Implant, Take Two The Good, The Bad, The Ugly (in reverse) Summary Questions

Our Story: The Timeline

I'm OK... You All Have Issues Chance figured he was talking and we were the

ones with the problem Hearing Aids are just fine, thank you Chance is covered... Or is he? Chance's favorite question becomes “What?”

He realizes how much he's missing

To Implant...

Potentially “cleaner” sound Potentially better gain Potentially more reliable results Focus on “understanding” not just “hearing”

...Or Not To Implant

No guaranteed results Invasive surgery Permanent Impact on residual hearing Future Implications

Questions, Questions, Questions What about future technology? What about hair cell regeneration? Improvements in implants? Will Chance need therapy to come to terms with

his parents' decision?

Implant: Take One

Finally, we're ready to launch. Houston, we have a problem !

Insurance denies, 3 days before the surgery Thus begins 18 month battle with insurance

The Launch

Prep Surgery and recovery went great Tried to ride his bike the next morning

It Was All We Hoped For Transition to new sound Chance hears from 30+ feet away His confidence soars! Happily ever after, until...

Implant, Take Two

Chance's Dad attends convention We blame the convention :)

Bilateral Research Begins Thorough investigation Our research showed best candidates for bilateral

implants: Kids who had heard before Kids implanted before the age of 8 Successful adaptation of first implant

But would the pros outweigh the cons ?

More Questions

Future technology ! Will Chance be a guinea-pig? Will the benefit be substantial enough Another surgery – are we testing fate?

We have liftoff! Again!

Teachers have indicated huge improvement We can call him down the hall, down the street Vocabulary has grown by leaps and bounds Localization Incidental Hearing Stays Better Focused

The Ugly Fighting Insurance Research – Getting unbiased information Your decision will be questioned

The Bad $$$ Twice as many batteries – and batteries aren't

universal Keeping two implants parts separated Some professionals believe that more study is

warranted, making decision more difficult No bilateral support in many areas Sometimes you get professionals' personal

feelings rather than all the options

The Good Phenomenal Increase in Speech skills No more hearing aid feedback Incidental hearing / overhearing Progresses more than 1 school year in approx 6

months time Reading at age-equivalent peer level Confidence soars

Summary Chance is not cured... All is not perfect – but

perfection is overrated Absolutely No Regrets ! Results are all we could have hoped for – and

more.

Questions?