Meet Lois Itchkawitz

I was first implanted in my right ear in summer of 2002 and in my left ear in summer of 2003; so I have sequential bilateral implants. I started losing my hearing approximately 15-16 years ago and wore one hearing aid at first and then two a year or so later as my hearing loss was progressing.  I had a hard time accepting my hearing loss.

I chose the Nucleus system for a couple of reasons: the removal magnet in case an MRI was needed, the way the company makes all their implants backwards compatible so ALL users can benefit from new and future technology.  I was lucky in when I "failed" my hearing test (it was the best test I ever failed), I was able to set up an appointment with the surgeon for the following week and was able to get implanted the first time in approximately four weeks. With my second request, I had an appointment with my surgeon who gave the okay and then submitted to insurance. I received an approval letter from the insurance company and then about ten minutes after reading that letter, received a phone call from them telling me there was an error and I was denied.

After submitting an appeal, I was approved and this process took about two months.  I had a new grandchild who I wanted to hear right from the start and this was one of the reasons I wanted an implant.  It has changed my life totally!!!  Before the implants I had to leave the work force and go out on SSDI because I was unable to function in an office. I also found myself keeping close to home and not participating in any social events with family or friends. With the first implant all this changed and you can`t keep me down any longer! 

The implant is entirely different than hearing aids; much better sound not just amplification. I was one of the lucky ones and heard speech on activation and it`s gotten better and better every day. With the second implant, I feel I now have "surround sound" and what I hear is much fuller and I`m able to localize where sound is coming from 90% of the time.

What I like most about the implant is the miracle of hearing that it has given me and that I`m able to converse with family and especially with the joy of my life, my granddaughter, Jessie! She is the light of my life and hearing her first cries, laugh and words is beyond description. I have many memorable experiences about this CI journey and am and will be forever thankful for this wonderful technology!