Lori O.

Tell us a bit about yourself

One day in 1985 I woke up deaf. My family and I were stunned at the sudden loss. I was able to regain some of the hearing in my right ear and was fitted with a hearing aid. Fast forward to 1991 and I once again woke up deaf. After many tests I was diagnosed with Autoimmune Inner Ear Disease (AIED). I struggled for 27 years to keep what hearing I had by using medications and several experimental treatments. Over the years we managed to get past the many “down times” I had. In 2012 I realized the battle to keep my natural hearing was not to be won. I received my first Cochlear™ implant shortly after that. After activation, my husband and I had a blast on the 2-hour drive home. It was the first time in years that I heard and understood music. I understood him while in the car, heard the passing cars and the blinker! My silenced social life blossomed. My two sons and their families smiled from ear to ear as I heard everything they were saying. The little ones…oh how blessed I was to be able to understand them!

Being a volunteer mentor has brought so much joy to my life. Seeing how happy someone I mentored has become after his/her hearing is restored is very exciting. The most important piece of advice I can give to someone (and their family) considering a Cochlear implant is to understand that there’s a learning curve after receiving your Cochlear implant. For some, speech comprehension isn’t instant. It can take time for the brain to connect the dots to hearing and involving family and friends is helpful.

I'm also available to connect on Cochlear Americas - Connect with a Mentor Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/CochlearConnectwithaMentor