Improving my career
Alistair has sensorineural deafness which is a big name meaning the hair cells in his cochlea have died. This kind of deafness is the most common and is often age related. The good news is that it is also the kind of deafness which a Cochlear Implant helps. This is Alistair's story. Alistair Sutherland and his wife Anna
For as long as I can remember, right through to the present time, I have been troubled with middle ear infections, particularly in my left ear. Slowly, over time these infections caused my hearing to fail, with the greatest loss in my left ear.
In 1971 I was fitted with my first bilateral hearing aids and was told I should have been wearing them many years before. As my hearing loss became worse I had many different types of aids, each a little stronger than the last. I found my Phonax aids were the best but eventually their power was not enough. Hearing in my left ear had gone completely and what little residual hearing I had in my right ear needed a boost.
I saw my mother struggle to communicate
My mother became deaf in later life. I watched how difficult it was for her to communicate. She relied on my father to be her ears and when she couldn't understand she asked friends and acquaintances to write down what they were trying to say or ask. She didn't get feedback from her own voice and she spoke very loudly. Because writing down the subjects was so slow she was often left behind due to the speed of conversation and I well remember her 'booming' voice talking about topics which we'd long since stopped. But mum was a positive person, with great strength of character and she never complained or lost her sense of humour. She died at 68 years not only deaf but also having been blind for 18 months. When I remember the struggles of my mother I realise how lucky I am to have the benefit of a Cochlear Implant. This technology was originally developed by Graeme Clarke because he too had a parent who suffered from acute deafness.
My hearing loss was gradual and so I adjusted, often without even realising. There wasn't a point in time where I could suddenly say I could no longer hear certain words or sounds, but slowly social isolation occurred as I withdrew from situations when I could no longer participate. Slowly I stopped listening to my favourite classical music and traditional jazz, which had given me great enjoyment.
There are some jobs where hearing is not essential but for me that wasn't the case because in the legal profession I need hearing to talk to and understand my clients. My progressive hearing loss meant I was forced to take early retirement, something I hadn't considered until I was at least 65.
By 2004, the time came when my hearing aids were no longer helping and my audiologist said he couldn't do anything more for me. He gave me a referral to Professor Gibson, the prominent ENT Cochlear Implant Specialist in Gladesville in Sydney. Between Prof Gibson and Alison Parker, a cochlear implant audiologist, I underwent assessment to make sure I would be suitable for a Cochlear Implant.
Professor Gibson was my surgeon when I had the implant operation at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in April 2005. At the time this was an experimental unit where a number of implantees agreed to have the operation and then have 'testing of the implant' afterwards at Cochlear in Lane Cove. I attended an extra five sessions related to music.
My left, or worst ear, was implanted which allows me to use a hearing aid in my right ear boosting what little residual hearing I have left. This gives me the effect of binaural hearing and helps me to locate sound.
Having the Cochlear Freedom implant has made my life fantastic. My professional career has continued, with only minor restrictions and I believe now I will continue working for as long as I wish. Socially, the veil has lifted. My Cochlear Implant has given me far greater hearing than my hearing aids ever could and if my right ear were to lose all sound I would consider having it implanted as well.
In November 2009 Alistair, upon the recommendation of his audiologist Monica Bray from the Sydney Cochlear Implant Centre was implanted in his other ear. His implant was funded NIB Health Fund and his surgeon was Melville Da Cruz. Alistair says "All is going well. It's the best thing I ever did because I find all my hearing responses have improved."