Thrive Through Sound: My Journey with Cochlear Implants

by Renee Polanco Lucero PhD, LSLS Cert. AVEd

As I reflect on my journey, I am reminded of my mother’s perspective when she chose hearing technology and spoken language as the primary mode of communication for me. It wasn’t because she thought I was broken, but because she believed in giving me access to opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach. This belief continues to guide me as I work to ensure that all children and families have access to the resources they need to thrive.

Read her full article here.

Participation in the ACI Alliance Medicare Expansion Study Changed My Life! 

I was a nurse and feel disappointed when some people won’t even think about a CI for various reasons. I want to share my story because my CI is a gift to me. I was thrilled to be a part of the Medicare expansion study and help others have access to this extraordinary technology. 

Read her full article here.

Personal Purpose, Professional Passion Carrie Spangler AuD

Carrie Spangler AuD, an educational audiologist, shares her personal experience with lifelong hearing loss. She recently received a cochlear implant.

Read her full article here.

The Incredible Hulk Gets a CI

In February 2021 actor and bodybuilder Lou Ferrigno, popularly known as The Incredible Hulk, received a cochlear implant. In this video with ACI Alliance Executive Director Donna Sorkin, he discusses his lifelong hearing loss and why he went forward with a cochlear implant at age 69.

Click the image below to watch the interview or click here.

A Family ci story

The Holloway story demonstrates the impact that hearing loss has on the whole family. Patrick began using hearing aids in his 70s and received a cochlear implant in March 2021, the day after he turned 80. Our desire is to help people realize that cochlear implants are not just for the wealthy but are available for anyone. The opportunity to have a cochlear implant changes a senior’s life and attitude from "my life is ending" to "my life has a new beginning." Read their full story here. 

Patrick and Beverly Holloway

COMING HOME AND GIVING BACK

By Katherine J. Farnsworth AuD, Pediatric Audiologist Division of Rehabilitative Services
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago

Following my hearing aid fitting, my mom still vividly recalls my initial reactions to many sounds in the house. I immediately began to shout “WHAT’S THAT?!” in response to the dishwasher and the doorbell. My passion to become an Audiologist was further solidified as I began my rotations in various clinics and hospitals. Read her full story here.

Finding a “New Normal” After Sudden Single-Sided Deafness

Michael Goldsmith realized he had lost his hearing in his left ear when he woke up from his medically induced coma in March 2020. But his journey from a COVID-19 diagnosis, to his and his family’s harrowing journey during his multi-week hospital stay battling COVID, and finally to a cochlear implant in the fall of 2020 is a longer and more complicated story. His account, which he generously shared with ACI Alliance, demonstrates the learning process and journey to a cochlear implant when sudden deafness occurs as just one part of a more complex medical situation.  Read his full story here.

Adult ci rehab blog

American Cochlear Implant Alliance offers an auditory rehabilitation resource, ACI Alliance Blog: Cochlear Implant Rehabilitation for Adults.

Cochlear Implant Rehabilitation for Adults, a blog offered by American Cochlear Implant Alliance, was launched in January 2016. It was initiated because of the scarcity of high-quality rehab guidance materials and direct rehab services available for adult CI recipients. Although adults comprise at least two-thirds of US cochlear implant users, the focus of (re)habilitation post CI surgery, has traditionally been on children. I was asked by ACI Alliance to organize the adult blog, write content, and facilitate submissions by others. With my 20 years of experience in working with adults and children with cochlear implants, I happily accepted the task of supporting adult CI recipients in their fascinating and challenging journey. Click here to read more about the blog.

Deaf pride

Beverly Biderman is a writer living in Toronto. She is a past Chair of the Board of the Canadian Hearing Society, and the author of Wired for Sound: A Journey into Hearing (rev. 2016). Her memoir is the basis for a new opera developed by Carlos Alberto Augusto, “On the Threshold of the Outside World.”

A CAREER IN PUBLIC SERVICE FOLLOWING COCHLEAR IMPLANTATION

Tonia McDonald, a Job Readiness Training Coordinator with the South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation Department, attributes her personal success story to receiving cochlear implants as a young adult. The improved hearing provided by her CI's allowed her to pursue higher education and a career in public service.

Tonia McDonald's Portrait

DEAF ENT PHYSICIAN DISCUSSES HIS PATH TO BECOMING A SURGEON WITH COCHLEAR IMPLANTS

Chad Ruffin MD, otolaryngologist at Proliance South Seattle Otolaryngology, discusses his trials and triumphs in becoming a surgeon using cochlear implants.