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Cochlear Implant

Domingo51
Domingo51 Member Posts: 5
Sixth Anniversary First Comment
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in Caring For a Spouse or Partner

My DH who is 77 has mid stage Alzheimers , tinnitus and severe hearing loss. He qualifies for a cochlear Implant. I was hoping someone has gone through the experience of their loved one getting one. I am concerned about how my DH will handle getting used to it and ability to do so. Any help much appreciated.

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  • harshedbuzz
    harshedbuzz Member Posts: 6,978
    Ninth Anniversary 1,500 Insightfuls Reactions 1,500 Likes 5000 Comments
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    Two issues would concern me specific to dementia:

    Firstly, this is generally a 2-hour surgery done under general anesthesia. I would be hesitant to subject a PWD to general surgery for an elective procedure.

    Secondly, success requires considerable therapy to learn to interpret sounds. This is not a passive endeavor like getting new glasses. PWD in the mid stages don't typically have the ability to learn new things and often struggle to comply with PT, OT and SLT; I would expect the same here.

  • Domingo51
    Domingo51 Member Posts: 5
    Sixth Anniversary First Comment
    Member

    Your remarks validate my concerns. The ENT doctor who recommended implant made light of the rehab issues necessary for it to work successfully for my husband with ALZ. We have appointment w Cochlear doctor coming up and will pose those concerns with him. I really appreciate your feedback.

  • Domingo51
    Domingo51 Member Posts: 5
    Sixth Anniversary First Comment
    Member

    I would love to hear from anyone whose loved one with Alzheimer's managed the Cochlear Implant process.

  • JJ401
    JJ401 Member Posts: 410
    Eighth Anniversary 100 Likes 100 Comments 25 Insightfuls Reactions
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    edited June 2

    DH here fell at the end of January resulting in a brain bleed and a fracture of temporal bone resulting in hearing loss. He is getting hearing aids. The audiologist said that if he were younger he would be a candidate for a cochlear implant. But, due to his age (83) and Alzheimer’s, they said he is not. The learning curve would be too great for him.

  • Domingo51
    Domingo51 Member Posts: 5
    Sixth Anniversary First Comment
    Member

    Thank you for taking the time to share your husbands experience.

Commonly Used Abbreviations


DH = Dear Husband
DW= Dear Wife, Darling Wife
LO = Loved One
ES = Early Stage
EO = Early Onset
FTD = Frontotemporal Dementia
VD = Vascular Dementia
MC = Memory Care
AL = Assisted Living
POA = Power of Attorney
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