Lewis Dalton received a cochlear implant at the University of Maryland Medical Center on February 2, 2006. Prior to that, he had dealt with hearing loss all his life which progressively worsened to the point that he could not longer benefit from his hearing aids and had to rely primarily on lip reading to communicate. Since his device activation, Dalton has “done phenomenally with his implant,” according to Cara Adornetto, Au.D., Cochlear Implant Program Coordinator and Clinical Audiologist for the Maryland Hearing and Balance Center. “At his one-month evaluation, he was already talking on his cell phone which is one of the most difficult situations to hear in with an implant. We typically tell people it could take a couple of years to be able to talk on the phone if at all,” Dr. Adornetto said. “We were so impressed by his rapid success, we even told the implant company about him, so that they could share his success as well."
Read his story below:
Dr. Eisenman checks Lewis Dalton's cochlear implant
My condition, which has been present since childhood, is called profound sensorineural or inner ear hearing loss with very poor word discrimination ability. It was discovered by my grade school teachers but the limited knowledge and tools at that time made it nearly impossible to diagnose the problem at the core.
I was referred to Dr. David Eisenman [Director, Otology and Neurotology Program at the University of Maryland Medical Center] through an audiologist in Frederick, Maryland. I knew that after losing 100 percent of my hearing in the left ear that I needed to take a direct approach to this procedure if I wanted to fit into my surroundings and feel comfortable.
The cochlear implant was performed on February 2, 2006 at the University of Maryland Medical Center. The initial recuperation period lasted about two weeks and the healing process was complete in less then a week afterwards. The external processor was activated four weeks after surgery.
I was hearing on the telephone in about two to three weeks after activation. As a matter of fact, I spoke with Cara Adornetto, Au.D., [Cochlear Implant Program Coordinator/Clinical Audiologist for Maryland Hearing and Balance Center at the University of Maryland Medical Center] over the phone about six months after the implant and had a short conversation with her. So my progress astonished me as well as her!
The implant has improved the quality of my life in more ways than I can imagine. Being able to talk on the phone has been a blessing, for I was never able to communicate that way before. Having a normal conversation with my friends and co-workers has improved to the point that I can actually hear what is being said and I can add to it.
I have been treated with the utmost respect from both Dr. Adornetto and Dr. Eisenman. In my opinion, they are very professional in their positions and leave me feeling confident and reassured. They come highly recommended from my standpoint.
|
Email this Page
Print this Page © 2008 University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC). All rights reserved.
UMMC is a member of the University of Maryland Medical System, 22 S. Greene
Street, Baltimore, MD 21201. 1.800.492.5538 TDD: 1.800.735.2258
Physician Referral: 1.800.373.4111
