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Amy Becktell Simultaneous Bilateral Cochlear Implants

Amy Becktell Simultaneous Bilateral Cochlear Implants. Sertoma Club March 18, 2010. About My Hearing Loss. Hearing loss first detected about age 12 Father, uncle and 2 sisters also had hearing loss Loss was progressive over the years First set of hearing aids at age 19

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Amy Becktell Simultaneous Bilateral Cochlear Implants

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  1. Amy BecktellSimultaneous Bilateral Cochlear Implants Sertoma Club March 18, 2010

  2. About My Hearing Loss • Hearing loss first detected about age 12 • Father, uncle and 2 sisters also had hearing loss • Loss was progressive over the years • First set of hearing aids at age 19 • By age 35, loss was profound • Continued to be fit with “power” aids • Last set of aids purchased in 2007 • Progressive, bi-lateral, hereditary, sensorineural hearing loss

  3. Effect of My Hearing Loss • Began playing violin in fifth grade • College degree in Music Education • Taught school two years • Returned to college for degrees in business • Fairly good career progression, but some limitations • Difficulty with phones, meetings, noisy locations • By my 40’s, I became more open about my hearing loss • Experienced some feelings of isolation and depression

  4. Decision for Cochlear Implants • Highly recommended by Randy Smith • Met and discussed implants with other users • My personal situation allowed for the time off • Seeing current aided scores against the count-the-dots • Accessing only 15% of speech sounds with hearing aids • Effect of hearing loss on family life, especially spouse

  5. Simultaneous Cochlear Implants • People who had a single implant were having second • Progression of technology • Difficulty selecting a single ear • Only one surgical and adaptive process • I’m accustomed to hearing bi-laterally and did not want to be single-sided or have different sounds with an implant and a hearing aid • I had confidence in the surgeon and the audiological team to provide excellent services

  6. After the Implants • Almost normal hearing; in some cases better • Can use the phone and conference phone • Birds! Meetings! Bells! Wind! Plastic bags! • Music, TV, and radio • Conversations from another room, restaurants • Frequent mapping sessions at first • Adaptive process can take years… • It will be a great journey!

  7. Hearing Loss Association of America • According to the National Center for Health Statistics 36 million (17%) American adults have some degree of hearing loss making it a public health issue third in line after heart disease and arthritis.

  8. Hearing Loss Association of America • HLAA provides assistance and resources for people with hearing loss and their families to learn how to adjust to living with hearing loss. • HLAA is working to eradicate the stigma associated with hearing loss. • Raise public awareness about the need for prevention and the importance of regular hearing screenings throughout life.

  9. Hearing Loss Association of America • Information: Magazine, Web Site • www.hearingloss.org • Education: Webinars, Conferences • Support: State/local Chapter, Young Adults, Military • Advocacy: ADA, Airports, FCC, Phones • Self-Help: Self-Identify • (Formerly know as Self Help for Hard of Hearing People (SHHH)

  10. HLAA and Sertoma HLAA, the American Academy of Audiology (AAA) and Sertoma/Hearing Charities of America have agreed to collaborate on an educational campaign “Get in the Hearing Loop.” The purpose of the campaign is to educate both consumers and professionals on a national and state level about the benefits of telecoils and hearing loops.

  11. Walk4Hearing.org • Largest walk of its kind in the country • In 2009, held in 21 cities with over 4500 participants • Since 2006, has raised more than $2 million • Goals: • Increase awareness • Minimize stigma • Raise funds

  12. ColoradoWalk4Hearing-4th year • May 22, 2010 at Clement Park, Littleton • Almost $60,000 raised in Colorado for first three years • Kickoff event is Saturday, April 10, at the Ken-Caryl Ranch house, 11:00 – 2:00 • For more info for participation or sponsorship: www.walk4hearing.org hlaaboulder@yahoo.com

  13. Thank You! • Questions? Comments? • For more information: Amy Becktell ajmelnick@hotmail.com

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