Blog 5. The Meeting

THE MEETING

This was the crucial meeting at which I would be told whether or not the operation was suitable for me. In attendance was the consultant supported by two colleagues – a speech therapist and an Implant person.  My attention was on the Consultant.  It was good news of sorts. I was deaf enough to merit the implant and he thought that I would benefit from it.  A large number of health related questions followed and the fact that I had not had a balance test was picked up. I had experienced the very unpleasant consequences of labrynthitis a few years earlier and there was some concern that the infection may have affected my inner ear and balance. The result of this further test would not prevent the CI procedure. Then having stated that I was happy to go ahead I said goodbye and was led to an office with the Implant colleague.  The NHS uses Cochlear Implants from the three major manufacturers: Cochlear, Medlec and Advanced Bionics. I’d been reading up on the pros and cons of each product.  Here I was shown each of the devices and asked which I would like to have. One thing I had picked up from my research and confirmed at this meeting was that all of the devices produce similar results and none was either significantly better or worse than the others in practice.  Still a choice had to be made.  Two of the devices came with remote controls, which was an attraction. Another was on special offer believe it or not and came with two external processors one which was no more than a single large button on the side of the head allowing for the device to be almost completely hidden.  I eventually opted for the Advanced Bionics Implant because I believe that the internal processor was more sophisticated than the others allowing for further upgrades of the external processor. Upgrades were available every five years as part of the package. So AB it was – now for the colour! Well hearing aid beige was definitely out!  I chose a dark blue with a hint of sparkle – just like my car. No wonder it was called petrol blue. So the device was on order, the contract in the post and in due course a date would be set for the operation.  A week or so later the contract arrived stating in very clear English the risks as well as the benefits of a Cochlear implant and also the commitment required from me to make it work.