My Story: A Cautionary Tale

Welcome to my story. It’s a journey through the world of cochlear implants and what can happen when things move too fast and symptoms aren’t taken seriously. In my case, it was only about three months from the time I lost my hearing to the time I was implanted. I trusted the specialists around me and believed I was doing the right thing.

After surgery and activation, I developed symptoms that were unusual, frightening, and hard to live with. I reported them, but many of them were minimized or not fully documented. I spent the next several years seeing countless providers, working with vestibular physical therapists, and trying to understand what was happening to my own body.

Eventually, the implant was removed—and it was discovered that the electrodes were not actually placed in the cochlea. Even then, it was a struggle to get complete records and device information.

I’m sharing this not to give medical or legal advice, but to tell the truth about what I experienced. My hope is that my story will encourage others to ask questions, seek second opinions, and listen closely to their own instincts. Above all, remember this: get help, and don’t feel you have to go through it alone.