Amy Becktell Simultaneous Bilateral Cochlear Implants

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

5. 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

6. 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

8. 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!

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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)

12. 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.

13. 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

14. 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

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