Sequential cochlear implantation means getting two cochlear implants in two separate surgeries, with a gap of months or years between them.

The gap in my case was 20 years.

Before the second surgery, my score was 0% for live voice sentences in quiet. At the first anniversary of my activation, with live voice at 50 dBHL, my score was 59% with my new cochlear implant alone.

I know I will continue to improve. Decades of auditory deprivation (I struggled with my hearing aids as a deaf person for 20 years before getting my first cochlear implant) will not go away in one year.

It’s empowering to have tools that work and to improve through my own efforts.

(And how cute is my dog??)

I wish everyone who got new hearing devices, whether it be hearing aids or cochlear implants, had the opportunity to choose auditory training. Auditory training is not for everyone, but shouldn’t people at least know what it’s about and make an informed choice for themselves?

Related post: Why dynamic auditory training programs work best for hearing loss