Challenges to Overcome
Rob's hearing loss wasn't discovered until he was three years old and even then he didn't get hearing aids until he was four. This meant his language development was hindered. This is Rob's story.
Rob Dobson March 2008
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My name is Robert Dobson, I am a '30 something' male with severe/profound sensorineural hearing loss in both ears. My main form of communication is oral but I have a basic knowledge of sign language. When I was born there were no hearing tests for babies so my parents had to work out whether my hyperactive behaviour indicated a hearing loss or not. It seems I was born deaf but was not diagnosed until I was at least 3years old and I was not fitted with bi lateral hearing aids until I was 4 years old. This meant I was behind others in my age group in terms of language development.
Throughout my schooling I relied heavily on what little residual sound I could get with two hearing aids plus lip-reading. Coping in mainstream schools in normal hearing classes (primary and secondary) was a challenge. I felt isolated from peers. I only had support from Advisory Teacher Hearing Impairment twice a week. This was both good and bad. It singled me out from the group, showing I needed help, but at the same time it wasn't really often enough help.
One of the biggest challenges faced in my adulthood has been dealing with the demands of the 'hearing establishment'. Society is organized around hearing people, and major adjustments have to be made for me to confront everyday problems but I did that with gusto and bravado.
Meeting the demands of the 'hearing establishment' was one of my biggest challenges
Going through a university, which is geared for normal hearing people, required a supreme effort for me. I was very lucky to get support in the form of note taking and additional support for other areas of study. Despite my hearing loss, I graduated with two degrees - Bachelor of Teaching and Graduate Diploma Outdoor Education and have been teaching on a contract/casual basis for 12 years mainly in physical education but also as teacher of the deaf. I am currently studying for a Graduate Certificate in Educational Studies - Hearing Impairment.
Over the last few years I had heard about cochlear implants from friends and my interest intensified when the Nucleus Freedom was introduced. I met with my ENT Specialist Dr Paul Varley and the wonderful audiologists at the South Australian Cochlear Implant Centre (SACIC) and we explored and discussed the benefits a Nucleus Freedom cochlear implant would give me.
The assessments demonstrated I would receive a significant improvement for my hearing needs with an implant and this would make communication easier. I felt I had nothing to lose but everything to gain. The surgery was performed on Tuesday the 19th June, 2007 and on Wednesday 11th July 2007; my processor was activated at SACIC.
The moment of truth
My activation (switch-on) went really well and exceeded my and my audiologist's expectations. I was overjoyed, my hands trembled. At first there was a power surge and that sounded scary - just like a bunch of Indians going off doing the rain dance. The first sounds I heard were like a washing machine but that settled down after 5 minutes. I was soon able to differentiate sounds and pitch at various frequencies which showed an excellent start.
Many sounds were different in those early days. Hearing my wife Haze's and our son's voice was different - higher pitched than I was used to. Paper money rustling (wish I had more) sounded like buzzing, I'd never heard my wife Haze sniffle but I was able to understand her without lip reading. There were sounds I had never heard; the computer keyboard clacking and I was surprised to hear how noisy two computers are. But the sound of crunching empty chip bag was cool although going to the toilet for a leak was very loud. (Niagara falls). When we went to a Café for lunch I found the sound of people chatting very noisy and scrambled and the coffee machines, as well dirty dishes banging, were loud.
Impact of Cochlear Implant
The main benefits for me from the cochlear implant are restored detection of everyday sounds in the hearing environment, improved face to face communication, the ability to understand speech through hearing alone. I noticed that the first thing I was able to do was listen not lip read. I scored 98% on speech recognition and discrimination tests when prior to implantation the assessment showed I only scored 0-1% with hearing aids in both ears. I now have the ability to listen to car radio and television, hear people behind my back and enjoy music. Things I could never have done before.
Since my first implant has been so successful I have discussed the possibility of having my right ear implanted and this may happen sometime in the future depending on funds. The cost of replacing batteries is expensive but it does not outweigh the joy of getting real hearing back
Being able to hear and listen to my family and my two young boys has been phenomenal and priceless. I loving having the extra sound and exploring more sounds around the universe. I am glad I made the decision and take my hat off to the bloke, that invented the cochlear implant Professor Graeme Clark, as well as the hard working audiologist team at SACIC - three cheers for you.