Sonja R.
Nucleus® 7, Unilateral | Sensorineural hearing loss
A quick summary about Sonja R.
- I lost my hearing at age 36 due to bacterial meningitis
- My Cochlear™ implant allows me to enjoy special times with my grandchildren
- I volunteer at my grandchildren's school and with other organizations to help others with hearing loss
Tell us a bit about yourself
I lost my hearing at age 36 due to bacterial meningitis in 1986. I received my Cochlear implant at St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver, BC, in 1987. At that time, cochlear implants were considered an experimental procedure and I was the 13th recipient at St. Paul’s Hospital. I did well with my implant and continued to improve until the spring of 2003 when I had an accident that broke the internal workings of the implant. Although it was unusual, it was a necessity to get my implant removed and implanted with a newer device. It took some time to get used to the new and different sound, but I continue to do well and find my hearing and listening skills continue to improve. My implant has changed my life and allows me to enjoy my family, friends and special times with my grandchildren as well as support others who are living with hearing loss and cochlear implants.
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